Mark Cuban Announces His Plan to ExitShark TankAfter Season 16: 'It's Time'

Mar. 15, 2025

Mark Cuban on ‘Shark Tank’.Photo:Christopher Willard via Getty

Christopher Willard via Getty

Mark Cubanbelieves his time onShark Tankis coming to end.

Thebillionaire businessman, 65, revealed that he will not be returning to the ABC series after season 16.

“This is our 15th year, and next year, our 16th year, is gonna be my last year,” he shared on theAll the Smokepodcast. “So I got one more year to go.”

He told hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson that he feels “it’s time” to leave the series after first appearing as a guest in season 2 and joining full-time in the third season.

The television personality shared that he is grateful for the impact of the series, explaining, “I love it because it sends the message the American dream is alive and well.”

“I feel like in doingShark Tankall 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 ofShark Tankand show their business and get a deal, it’s going to inspire generations of kids,” he continued. “That’s what happens, right? Now we’ve got people coming on saying I watched you when I was 10 years old. I’m like, f—. But we’re helping them right? I’ve invested in, I don’t know how many hundreds of companies.”

Cuban also reflected on his takeaways as a Shark on the long-time series, explaining, “The harder they have to try to sell, the worse the deal.”

“The longer the backstory, the worse the deal. Meaning, the minute you start telling me how hard it was for you? It’s hard for every motherf—ing entrepreneur,” he added. “I don’t need to hear your backstory. Tell me about your business, tell me why you are going to be successful. Tell me what’s different about it. Tell me how you stand out.”

He concluded, “I look for ideas [where I’m] like, ‘Damn, why didn’t I think of that?'”

‘Shark Tank’ cast including Daymond John, Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner and Robert Herjavec.Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty

Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty

This is not the first time that Cuban has spoken aboutthe possibility of leavingShark Tank.

“I committed to come back for season 15 next year,” theSharkinvestortold PEOPLE last year. “But after that, you know, I don’t know yet.”

“And it’s not cause I don’t love the show. I absolutely love the show,” theMavericks ownercontinued. “I love what it represents. I love that kids watch it. And now we have entrepreneurs coming on that started watching when they were 12, 13, 14 years old.”

Cuban admitted that spending time with his family, including daughters Alyssa and Alexis and son Jake, trumps all other obligations.

“My daughter’s in college now … when they were all in high school, all their schedules aligned. And so it was really easy to do the show,” he explained at the time. “But now, you know, family first, always. And so I wanted to try to make sure I spent as much time with my daughter as I can, and my family as I can.”

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Shark Tankairs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com