Mark Cuban set to exit ‘Shark Tank’ after Season 16

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Mark Cuban is swimming away from the Shark Tank after Season 16 ends in 2025.

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The billionaire majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, who first appeared in Season 2 before joining the series full-time in its third season, says “it’s time” to step away.

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“This is our 15th year, and next year, our 16th year, is gonna be my last year,” he shared this week on the All the Smoke podcast with hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. “So I got one more year to go.”

Cuban, 65, says he’s enjoyed his decade-plus run on the show because it is proof “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,” 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.”

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Cuban also revealed some advice for future entrepreneurs looking for a deal with future “sharks,” saying that he was always interested investing in something that made him say: “‘Damn, why didn’t I think of that?’”

“The harder they have to try to sell, the worse the deal,” he told the ex-NBA players. “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.”

In a follow-up message to The Hollywood Reporter, Cuban reiterated his love for Shark Tank and said his decision to leave was motivated by his desire to spend more time with his two daughters.

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“I just want to have a couple summers with my teens before they go off on their own,” Cuban wrote in an email to THR. “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.”

After debuting in 2009, the series is currently in its 15th season with Cuban appearing alongside fellow “sharks” Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John and Kevin O’Leary.

In September, Cuban revealed which investment he has made on the show that has surprised him the most.

“Beatbox beverages,” Cuban told Us Weekly. “So Beatbox beverages is kind of a wine cooler and now a spritzer as well. And [the founders] came on just a bunch of partying guys and one girl out of Austin. And I’m like, ‘OK, it’ll be fun.’”