Competitive Eating is First Major League Sport Back Amid Crisis

NEW YORK, April 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Major League Eating has announced that it will launch the BetOnline Quarantine Challenge, a bracket-style elimination eating tournament sponsored by www.BetOnline.ag, to meet overwhelming demand for sports content from fans. The series, which will feature eight of the world's top eaters facing off via video from their homes, will launch this Friday, April 17, at 7 pm EST, on various platforms including MLE's YouTube channel.

The field consists of Joey Chestnut, the #1-ranked eater in the world and 12-time winner of the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest; Matt Stonie (255 Peeps in five minutes); Darron Breeden (528 oysters in eight minutes); world-renowned chugging champion Badlands Booker; Miki Sudo, the #1-ranked female eater in the world; Gideon Oji (25 lbs of kale salad in eight minutes); Michelle Lesco (176 gyoza in 10 minutes); and Nick Wehry (11 lbs of strawberry shortcake in eight minutes).

Foods for each first-to-finish round are as follows:

Qualifying Round: Sliced Bologna – two pounds
Quarterfinals: Milk and Cookies – one family pack of Oreos and a half gallon of milk
Semifinals: Baked Beans – 1.125 gallons (or 10 pounds)
Finals: Ramen Noodles – 10 individual ramen cups

"While there has been substantial discussion about which professional sport would be the first to return – with baseball, basketball, golf and MMA all floating recent potential return plans – competitive eating is first to come back. It is a powerful statement of American resilience," said MLE Chairman George Shea, who will host the Quarantine Challenge with MLE President Rich Shea.

BetOnline.ag has long served as the premiere online sports betting destination and, given the current lapse in sporting activity, the organization felt that partnering with MLE to create the Quarantine Challenge would create a fun way to fill the competitive void being felt by bettors and sports fans alike.

"We all find ourselves in an unprecedented space," Dave Mason, Brand Manager at BetOnline.ag, said. "Unfamiliar problems often require unfamiliar solutions. Hence the birth of this event. Many are familiar with the July Fourth event, but few realize that these athletes compete regularly and treat this as an actual sporting league. Our goal is to showcase the talents and skills possessed by the competitors while offering fans the chance to cheer on their favorites."

The competition will feature $11,500 in prize money, with $5,000 going to the winner. In addition, MLE and BetOnline.ag will donate $10,000 to Feeding America. Those wishing to make a donation can do so at https://www.feedingamerica.org/.

The Quarantine Challenge will stream on MLE's YouTube Channel.

About BetOnline
BetOnline (www.betonline.ag) is the worldwide leader in providing safe, legal and secure online gaming. Headquartered in Panama and founded in 2004, BetOnline serves clients from more than 140 countries. Featuring the latest and most innovative technology, the website offers sports betting, casino and horse racing to its customers. BetOnline's guiding principle is to establish long-lasting, positive relationships with its customers and the online gaming com.

About Major League Eating
Major League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The competitive eating community is made up of more than 8,000 veteran and rookie gurgitators who travel the nation in search of top titles and the glory that they provide. For more information, visit www.majorleagueeating.com, www.facebook.com/eatfast or Instagram / Twitter: @eatingcontest.

SOURCE Major League Eating

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