Mark Cuban drops bombshell: Bidding adieu to Shark Tank after season 16

The 65-year-old billionaire entrepreneur dropped the bombshell that he won't be making a comeback to the ABC series after season 16. During an appearance on the All the Smoke podcast, he spilled the news, saying, "This is our 15th year, and next year, our 16th year, is gonna be my last year. So I got one more year to go." Mark Cuban shared with hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson that he believes "it's time" to bid farewell to the show.

 While he asserted that season 16 would mark his exit, the network has yet to officially confirm his departure.

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Expressing Gratitude

The TV personality expressed gratitude for the series' impact, stating, "I love it because it sends the message that the American dream is alive and well." Reflecting on his time on Shark Tank, he added, "I feel like, in doing Shark Tank all these years, we've trained multiple generations of entrepreneurs. If somebody can come from Iowa or Sacramento or wherever, show up on the Shark Tank carpet, pitch their business, and land a deal, it's going to inspire generations of kids."

Cuban shared insights from his experience as a Shark on the enduring series, noting, "The harder they have to try to sell, the worse the deal." Expanding on his observations, he remarked, "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 entrepreneur out there."

Balancing Commitments and Family

Cuban has previously hinted at the prospect of leaving Shark Tank. In an interview last year, the Shark investor mentioned, "I committed to come back for season 15 next year. But after that, you know, I don't know yet." Despite his affection for the show, Cuban, the owner of the Mavericks, acknowledged, "And it's not 'cause I don't love the show. I absolutely love the show. 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 confessed that prioritizing time with his family, including daughters Alyssa and Alexis and son Jake, takes precedence over other commitments.

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As Cuban steps away to prioritize family and other commitments, his legacy on Shark Tank remains one that has inspired countless entrepreneurs and viewers alike. The show's ability to embody the American dream and serve as a beacon of motivation for future generations.