Major League Eater

Takeru Kobayashi, the 32-year-old Japanese dynamo, is at odds with Major League Eating, the group that officiates what's widely regarded as the Super Bowl of American gluttony. "We are trying to come to an agreement. We are at an impasse," Rich Shea, co-president of MLE, told AOL News. "We know the fans want him."

The 160-pound gustatory god stunned the world in 2001 when he doubled the world record by eating 50 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Kobayashi would go on to win the coveted mustard-yellow belt at Coney Island six consecutive times. But in the past four years, Joey Chestnut of California has eaten him under the table, woofing down an amazing 68 franks and buns in just 10 minutes last year, leading some to believe the former hot dog champ has turned chicken.

MLE won't say what the sticking points are as it negotiates with Kobayashi's lawyers. But Shea indicated that it's no different than what goes on in other sports. "Certainly, you wouldn't see Tom Brady compete in arena football a week after the Super Bowl," he said.

Competitive eating is not a sport. There, I said it. It's nothing but gluttony. But it sure is fun to watch. I know I couldn't eat more than four or five hot dogs and how this man can eat 50 of them in 12 minutes I can't even comprehend. But it isn't the actual eating I enjoy watching, it's the thought of what they will feel like later and what they're next trip to the bathroom will be like that I really enjoy. Still though, Kobayashi is no Joey Chestnut. You can't out eat an American! Eating is our thing and you can't take that away from us.

By the way, good one Shea, comparing Kobayashi to Tom Brady. Classic. I don't think anyone believes that the MLE is synonymous with the NFL. Nice try though.