Hot dog competitors talking with mouths full

As Joey Chestnut was chomping his way to victory Monday in the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating World Championship on Coney Island, his archrival was staging his own "competition" a few miles away in Manhattan.

Takeru Kobayashi claims to have eaten 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes, seven more than Chestnut did in winning his fifth consecutive title and one more than Chestnut's world record of 68 dogs set in 2009.

"I'm the champion," Kobayashi declared.

It was the second straight year he did not compete head-to-head with Chestnut. Kobayashi has been involved in a contract dispute with Major League Eating, which oversees and sanctions the Nathan's contest. But Chestnut refused to acknowledge Kobayashi's Fourth of July feat.

"That wasn't a competition, that was just him eating," Chestnut said. "I've done 71 practicing by myself."

All this bitterness -- not to mention the hot dogs -- is enough to make one puke.

■ PAY UP -- Yes, the NBA is officially in a lockout. The league has gone so far as to take down the images of all its players from team websites along with the usual barring of players from visiting team facilities to work out or to receive medical treatment.

There might not be any basketball for a while, but that didn't stop New York Knicks owner James Dolan from putting the arm on his fans. Season-ticket invoices for 2012 have been sent out with the first payment due at the end of August, even though there's no guarantee there will be a season. Add to the fact that ticket prices were raised during the offseason and it makes the invoice notice all the more outrageous.

On the team's website home page Tuesday was a photo of Hall of Famer Earl Monroe. If he were still playing, it might be worth spending the extra money.

■ STAY AWAY -- Attention all entrepreneurs looking to make a buck off Derek Jeter as the Yankees shortstop resumes his pursuit of 3,000 hits -- don't try it.

Casey Close, Jeter's longtime agent, said anyone who tries to pirate the Yankee captain's name, image or likeness will be dealt with severely.

"We will do whatever is necessary," Close told the New York Post. "Derek has established a number of important partnerships, and these relationships are brand-specific."

Close said companies that just want to congratulate Jeter for his accomplishment whenever it happens are also barred from using his name or likeness in any paid advertisements.

Jeter has major endorsement deals with Gatorade, Nike's Jordan brand, Gillette, Ford, Movado watches and Steiner Sports. HBO is also doing a one-hour documentary on Jeter and will air it shortly after he gets to the magic mark. And, yes, they have permission to use his name and image.

■ TWEET O' THE DAY -- "George Foreman made $150m promoting the George Foreman Grill. Keep your eye out for my new "David Haye Toe-ster" available in 2012!" -- David Haye, who lost his WBA heavyweight belt to Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday, claiming he fought with a broken toe on his right foot.

COMPILED BY STEVE CARP
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL