NineMSN.com.au lists Joey Chestnut's 2011 competitive eating income as $205,000, a $20,000 decrease from 2010. The article also claims that Nathan's contract with ESPN has reportedly been extended to 2017. update Hmm noted the article has been pulled, it is still available in the Google cache. update #2 New link for article on msn.com

February 13, 2012 at 10:34 pm by ojrifkin · More posts about:Business, ESPN, Joey Chestnut | Permalink * Comments (22)

22 Comments »

  1. anonymous said

    February 13, 2012 @ 11:03 pm

    Now you know why some people cant stand him

  2. Hmm said (Registered November 12, 2009)

    February 14, 2012 @ 7:38 am

    Every single time an article like this appears, I feel terrible for the rest of the MLE eaters, almost all of them. It seems that perhaps a few make more than the rest, the top perhaps six or so plus a few but nothing anywhere near what Joey makes.

    I do not know how they can fix this problem, but it is a problem. It has to make every other eater jealous of Joey even if he were the greatest guy and everyone loved him, it still would be an unfair imbalance. Others who get some perks because they are good at media or even helping to run the contests in some ways also get other MLE eaters jealous of them. It is understandable, completely. It makes for a poor community without togetherness.

    And surely most people think that eaters farther down the line are pulling in the bucks too. Wouldn’t you think that if you did not know better? Perks and bucks need to be earned, for sure, respect needs to be earned for sure, but without the others who can eat close to Joey and those below, there would be no MLE. I have no answers. Joey even says he will ride this wave until he cannot anymore. There will be another Joey or Pat or X etc. And the problem of unequal distribution will remain. I can only hope that behind the scenes eaters are rewarded in ways we do not know about.

  3. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    February 14, 2012 @ 8:18 am

    I suppose it’s just (the bad side of) human nature to resent accomplishments of others, regardless of their talent level or work ethic.

    So what’s Joey supposed to do? Let others win most of the time and refrain from trying so hard? Spread the wealth around and mail the rest of the IFOCE top 50 an equitable share of his earnings? Or perhaps simply retire, and give others a chance?

    Of course, none of those options are realistic. Again, MLE is a business, and Joey’s the meal ticket. You can’t blame the guy for being one of the best two competitive eaters in the history of the game.

    Since Joey first came on the CE scene, he has worked harder to excel as a competitive eater than anyone I know of. I remember him stating that he ate 5000 HDBs in the year prior to winning on July 4th a few years ago—-07 or 08. Anyone who works that hard at something certainly deserves lots of fruit for his labor.

    No wonder Joey called his Web site: “The Future of CE.” The man wasn’t talking smack; his claim was well founded.

    Joey, if people don’t like it, they can kiss your ass. You owe no one nothing! Hell, I hope you make more each year that you compete. Those that don’t like it can either work harder or drop out of the IFOCE and eat at picnics and carnivals.

    But whatever they choose, I just hope they shut the hell up, stop crying, and stop playing the role of victim!

  4. Hmm said (Registered November 12, 2009)

    February 14, 2012 @ 8:28 am

    Shot down perfectly by the inimitable Rhonda. All points perfectly well taken but now do not tell me again that I change my mind like rich people change cars…..yes, I noticed. Just accept that you are one hell of a persuader. You are right, what should Joey do? Nothing other than what he is doing. Are you sure you are not a lawyer? You would be scoring before The Supreme Court of Competitive Eating.

  5. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    February 14, 2012 @ 8:43 am

    I’m sorry about that previous statement. (I COULD use a new car.) Sometimes my humor comes out a little bit too terse/abrupt. That was one of those times. I apologize.

    Thanks also for your pat on the back about my persuasive skills, but I don’t think anyone up on murder charges would want to his
    life in my hands. I’d probably get laughed off the premises!

  6. anonymous said

    February 14, 2012 @ 9:44 am

    Rhonda & Hmm when Joey first came on the scene he called practically every eater in the IFOCE asking for advice or tips on how to become a champion eater. He even asked the not so great eaters not knowing that werent so great. He never once went out of his way to thank any of them if he just so happened to get the advice he needed Ray the Bison told him about a throat relaxer he used after his surgery which is not available over the counter. Whether or not he uses it remains to be seen. Hmm , why cant you have a mind of your own. “Shot down perfectly buy the inimitable Rhonda” You make Rhonda sound as though she is Gen Patton and you are Major Healy second in command just following orders. Ok Rhonda does make a strong point saying it is not Joey fault but other members of the IFOCE especially the mid ranked eaters , are not helping matters by cheering him on with Joey Joey. If Joey wasnt winning would Joey cheer on others ? Big Sexy Big Sexy Wrecking Ball Wrecking Ball A train A train? I highly doubt it. Matter fact Joey would be long gone from the sport and move on to other venues. I think it is totally arrogant on the part of MSN to even list such a salary

  7. anonymous said

    February 14, 2012 @ 9:46 am

    Why is it that everytime someone pays Rhonda Evans a compliment she responds by humbling herself or selling herself short. Just go with the flow and take the compliment

  8. anonymous said

    February 14, 2012 @ 10:33 am

    There are some that are in awe of having the opportunity to rub elbows with someone that is pulling in 200k per year while they are making nothing . Pretty sad if you ask me

  9. Show me the money! said

    February 14, 2012 @ 10:59 am

    It’s easy, if you want to make over $200,000 in competitive eating, just eat over 60 hot dogs at Nathan’s consistently, and become the number one eater in the world. Hey, while you’re at it, if you want to make several million dollars in baseball, just pitch 100 MPH fastballs, consistently with control. Hey if you want to make a lot of money in football, become the best football player. Oh, you can’t do that? Well maybe that’s why you don’t make the top money in any given sport? If you’re jealous of Joey for making the most of his God given talent, than just go out and do what he does. If you can’t, quit you’re whining. Quite, frankly I’m just glad he’s opening the door so that any future Joey Chestnut is compensated properly for their talent.

  10. Anonymous said

    February 14, 2012 @ 11:15 am

    you guys are missing the big picture. Joey is at the top of the game and is is only making 200k!!! He has clearly made competitive eating a major part of his life. Only Kobayashi is as vested as Joey, and in his heyday, he earned more than Joey.

  11. KevinRoss said

    February 14, 2012 @ 11:40 am

    It is crazy to not like, or not respect, Joey solely because he’s successful. He is an amazing eater and deserves to be paid well. Now there is many valid reasons not to like Joey. He acts like an unfriendly jerk to many people for no good reason. He clearly has a swollen ego. He’s not all that bright or interesting. But his obvious skill and success…that’s the only reason NOT to hate him!

  12. KevinRoss said

    February 14, 2012 @ 11:43 am

    I should also add, most MLE people are humble, friendly, talented, interesting, great guys and gals. I certainly would love to see them paid more!

  13. Hmm said (Registered November 12, 2009)

    February 14, 2012 @ 12:01 pm

    Strange, I was going to go back and read the article again before replying but the link is not working now.

  14. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    February 14, 2012 @ 12:11 pm

    9:44: Interesting insight. Maybe let those you mentioned speak for themselves.

    9:46: I don’t know … I always appreciate humility in others, and I try to follow suit.

    10:33: OK, you find that sad, but frankly, I’m in awe of someone who’s elite ability commands that kind of compensation. The only person I know of who comes close to Joey in CE talent is Kobayashi.

    Even if I were a ranked competitive eater, I’d feel exactly the same way. There are probably one or two talents I have that Koby or Joey doesn’t, with which I can make money, so, overall, I wouldn’t feel slighted in the least.

    Competitive eating is an amazing talent, but having a lack of it. compared to a few who might have more, is hardly worth feeling resentful about.

  15. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    February 14, 2012 @ 12:27 pm

    KR, as blunt as you are, you have a point. If Joey tried to be more friendly I’m sure there would be less resentment about his earnings (His success in CE is used to mask the real reason people might dislike him.)

    Joey is not out to win a “Mr. Personality” contest; that’s not who Joey Chestnut is.

    I actually like the fact that with Joey, what you see is what you get; he puts on no airs. I accept it, and it’s okay. I’m not hurt by it. Who is?

  16. Show me the money! said

    February 14, 2012 @ 12:27 pm

    Why don’t we hear from someone who has some authority to speak on subject, competed against Joey, and on the rare occasion maybe even beat him once or twice. When asked about Joey’s talent, and why he deserves any everything he’s earned, last year Sonya Thomas said, “I’m still the number one female in the world, but I cannot beat Joey Chestnut for hot dogs. He ate 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. If they gave me two million dollars I couldn’t swallow fast enough!” Sonya hit the nail on head, if you can do something no one else in the world can do, you’re probably going to make more money than anyone else doing it.

  17. anonymous said

    February 14, 2012 @ 12:39 pm

    Chestnut is not paid the big bucks for his personality. The ones that use their personality to gain attention in the sport usually cant eat for shit

  18. anonymous said

    February 14, 2012 @ 1:58 pm

    and some have neither the personality or eating ability

  19. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    February 14, 2012 @ 2:47 pm

    Sonya made a Ripley’s comic page today: http://images.ucomics.com/comics/rp/2012/rp120214.gif

    Seems like a pretty fair likeness too.

  20. Hmm said (Registered November 12, 2009)

    February 14, 2012 @ 5:39 pm

    Yes, I do have my own mind, not subservient to Rhonda. I think that she does make some good points which have persuaded me to think larger or differently. That is a very good quality. All of us get stuck in our firmly held opinions. Of course Joey isn’t in this to win Mr. Personality. But that still doesn’t mean that he could not encourage others and be more gracious. But, if that is not who he is, then you get what you get. But usually, no matter the talent, eaters get more things with honey than with bitter herbs. Just like in life. This is why Sonya is a role model, she is the whole package. There was a time when Kobayashi had no one who could even come close. Then Joey came along. But he is not invincible as has been shown. There is one thing of importance which was said though. Joey, with his bigger bucks, has paved the way for the future. Remember the days when eaters got only glory and a trophy, nothing to sneeze at then. But now some people do get paid. Step by step……..

  21. Oh Please! said

    February 15, 2012 @ 12:30 pm

    Joey is King! Kobi’s heyday is over. They aren’t invincible- none of us are. Joey doesn’t need personality. He’s a winner. Kobi likes to pretend he has personality- a mild mannered, fun loving little man. Then he’s flashing his abs and flexing, jumping around like an a$$. Is that personality? I think it’s disrespectful arrogance. After 12 years of being in this country he still refuses to speak English for himself. Constantly hiding behind his boss/girlfriend. Disrespectful. She’s got him making $10/appearance though, doesn’t she? None of us will ever get the pay or respect we deserve. The events who will respect/appreciate us can’t afford us and the events who can have their favorites. Until we can knock Jaws, Bob, Kobi, Sonya, or Squib, off their thrones- we’ll all be making pennies forever. I think if anyone can steal their crowns it’s Stoney.

  22. Oh Please! said

    February 15, 2012 @ 12:31 pm

    *$10,000 appearances

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