Married couple Miki Sudo and Nick Wehry are at the center of a scoring controversy that affected betting markets on the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Both Sudo and Wehry’s total eaten hot dog and bun (HDB) counts were revised, pushing the totals above the over line in gambling markets.
Sudo won the women’s contest and was initially credited with eating 33 dogs. However, after a recount, judges announced that she had eaten 38.75 dogs.
That edged her total just above the line set by sportsbooks. DraftKings and BetMGM both set the line at 38.5, while FanDuel had it at 38.3.
USA Today Claims Foul Play, Sudo Denies Allegations
George Shea, co-founder of Major League Eating, which runs the contest, said the person assigned to counting Sudo’s totals missed a plate. Each plate holds five hot dogs, and empty plates are used to calculate scores.
However, USA Today alleges that video evidence showed she only ate 34 dogs. When contacted by the paper, Sudo denied involvement in any kind of foul play.
“My job is simply to eat the hot dogs, and I stand by the judges’ count of 38.75 (0.25 deduction for a dropped bun),’’ Sudo stated.
She went on to reject any accusations that she may have been deliberately influencing the betting markets.
“I have no involvement in wagering in ANY capacity,” she said. “That would not only be against the rules, but also unethical.”
In a radio interview, she said the controversy means it could be time to introduce digital counters and off-site cameras.
BetMGM spokesman Jack Kirvin said, “The over/under for Miki Sudo was set at 38.5 hot dogs, and the over was paid out as the winner in line with the official results.”
Prediction Market Trading Affected By Recount
The recount significantly affected Kalshi’s market. The prediction market site had lines of 35 and 38 dogs. After appearing to fall short of both, the chances of eating more than 35 fell from 66% to 1% before the announcement that she had eaten 38.75.
Over $275,000 was traded on the market.
Polymarket did not offer markets on Sudo’s total, but the company had endorsed the contest. The operator signed a deal with Joey Chestnut, who won the men’s contest for the 18th time, while sporting a Polymarket chain.
Husband’s Total Also Revised
Sudo’s husband also had his total HDB count revised. Initially, Wehry was credited with eating 40 HDBs before judges announced he had eaten 45.
Again, the revision pushed his total above the betting line set by sportsbooks. Caesars Sportsbook set the line at 42.5, while Bet365 had it at 44.5 hot dogs.
Fellow contestant Geoff Esper further raised suspicions as he said he was watching Wehry and making sure to match his eating pace. He ended up eating 40.5 dogs.
“I was pacing myself with Nick the entire contest,” Esper told USA Today. “So I’m pretty sure of his number. I made sure to be 1/2 (of a hot dog) ahead of him at the last second. I guess I didn’t account for unforeseen circumstances.”
In addition to altering the betting market, Wehry’s adjusted score moved him from sixth place to fourth place. The top five receive prize money, so he walked away with $1,500 instead of nothing.
Wehry Denies Cheating, Again
In 2024, Wehry denied cheating, but according to Major League Eating, he asked his total to be reduced by five hot dogs because he touched the plates after the contest ended. Major League Eating took no disciplinary action.
This year, he again denied any wrongdoing.
“In my case, the counters just missed a plate (I) guess,” he said. “After 5-10 (hot dogs) I have no idea where I am. (Barclay, the head official judge) came over, counted 9 empties and (one half) finished dog, and I got deducted half a dog for debris.”
ESPN’s David Purdum noted on X that bettors loaded up on unders in last year’s men’s contest after Sudo said the buns felt larger.
“Customers really grilled us on under parlays,” Caesars’ Craig Mucklow said. This year, it seems bettors got burned the other way.”
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