Shark Tank may be losing one of its regulars. Mark Cuban has announced he is exiting the ABC reality series after the 16th season. The network has not officially announced a renewal of the business reality series, but it is expected to be back for the 2024-25 season.
Airing on Friday nights, the current 15th season of Shark Tank features Cuban, Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, Kevin O’Leary, and Lori Greiner. The “sharks” offer everyday people a shot at the American dream and the possibility of striking business deals to grow their companies beyond their wildest dreams.
Cuban said the following about leaving Shark Tank, per THR:
“I just want to have a couple summers with my teens before they go off on their own. Nothing to do with the show. I love it. I love being on it. I love what [it] represents and how it motivates entrepreneurs around the world.
On the one hand, I understand that nobody should have this much wealth, but it is what it is. You make the best of it, and I don’t feel guilty about it at all. I busted my ass to get here.”
Cuban first announced his intention to leave the series in an appearance on the All the Smoke podcast last week. He had nothing but praise for Shark Tank when he spoke about exiting. He said the following:
“I love it because it sends the message the American dream is alive and well. I feel like in doing Shark Tank all these years, we’ve trained multiple generations of entrepreneurs that if somebody can come from Iowa or Sacramento or wherever, and show up on the carpet of Shark Tank and show their business and get a deal, it’s going to inspire generations of kids.”
This is not the first time Cuban has said he was departing the series since he joined as a guest shark during its second season. Per ABC, his exit is not official, according to TV Line.
What do you think? Do you want to see more seasons of Shark Tank? Will you continue to watch the ABC series without Cuban?
So Mark Cuban bails out of Shark Tank and the Dallas Mavericks within the same week? What’s up with that? Another billionaire about to launch a vanity Presidential campaign? You know… because that worked so well for Michael Bloomberg, Howard Schultz, and Tom Steyer.
Hate to see Mark leave, he is one of my favorites.