Last year, Joey Chestnut, the legendary competitive eater, downed 76 hot dogs at the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York. With that record in mind, bookmakers set the over/under at 74.5 hot dogs before this year’s feast, as Chestnut sought his 15th win.
Turns out, he only gobbled 63, way under, but still good enough to win the contest handily.
But something happened during the competition that hampered the hot dog momentum. A protester jumped on stage with a sign which read: “Expose Smithfield’s Deathstar,” in protest of pork producer Smithfield Foods.
Chestnut stopped shoveling hot dogs in his mouth long enough to take down the protester until security arrived.
The incident only lasted a short time, but certainly had at least some impact on his performance. So, some sportsbooks offered refunds to anyone who bet the over.
The list included FanDuel.
“Due to a brief interference at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, we’ve decided to refund all straight bets on Joey Chestnut to eat Over 74.5 hot dogs,” the sportsbook said.
DraftKings and Barstool also offered refunds, while paying winners who bet under.
