Is Mark Cuban Leaving ‘Shark Tank’? Investor Reveals Details About His Future on Television

In season 3 of Shark Tank, Mark Cuban officially joined the full-time panel of investors to help make business hopefuls’ dreams come true. Over the seasons, the Dallas Mavericks owner made several comments about pursuing other interests outside of the show.

When Did Mark Cuban Join ‘Shark Tank’?

Mark’s journey on Shark Tank kicked off in 2011 when he served as a guest star on the show. His popularity and banter with the other sharks led him to become a series regular the following year. The billionaire has seen some tremendous successes with the businesses he has invested in on the reality series, including Brightwheel, Dude Wipes and BeatBox.

Despite all of his accomplishments related to Shark Tank, Mark has made multiple remarks about potentially leaving the show. In September 2022, he hinted that his time as a shark was coming to an end, with the intention of focusing his attention on his public benefit corporation, Cost Plus Drugs.

“Part of me wants to quit,” he told Forbes at the time of his reality TV career. “They’ll survive fine without me.”

Mark Cuban’s Wife Tiffany Stewart Is His Perfect Match! Marriage Details

After his comments shocked Shark Tank viewers, he clarified that he would be returning for another season after all.

“I told them I’m coming back at least for next year,” Mark, who shares kids Alexis, Alyssa and Jake with wife Tiffany Stewart, told the Dallas Observer via email in December 2022. “It was more about scheduling than anything. With a daughter in college, it’s harder to make up a time with her, but they moved shooting from July to June (not for me). So it turned out just fine.”

Season 15 of Shark Tank premiered on September 29, 2023. Mark appeared alongside Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, Kevin O’Leary and Lori Greiner on the panel of investors. Two months later, Mark once again made shocking comments about his fate on the show.

Will Mark Cuban Return to ‘Shark Tank’ for Season 16?

In November 2023, Mark announced he would be leaving Shark Tank after season 16. During an interview on the “All the Smoke” podcast, the entrepreneur said, “It’s time,” adding, “I love [the show] because it sends the message that 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 reflected. “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–ck. But we’re helping them, right? I’ve invested in, I don’t know how many hundreds of companies. On a cash basis, I’m down a little bit, but on mark-to-market meeting, the companies are still in operation. I’m way up.”

Mark Cuban Revealed the Reason Why He’s Leaving ‘Shark Tank’

Ahead of the season 16 premiere on October 18, 2024, Mark spoke out about his plans for the future after his Shark Tank exit.

“I’m getting asked that a lot now that people know that I’m leaving — I doubt it,” he told TheWrap when asked if he would ever return to TV in the future.

“I’m leaving just to spend more time with my kids — they’re teenagers now. When they were younger, my wife and I got to tell them where to be and when; now they ain’t listening to us,” Mark told the outlet. “We shoot in June and September, and just getting the opportunity now when they’re getting out of school to be able to spend time directly with them, that’s important. I’m tired of missing that.”

Mark reflected on his time on the program and the powerful message the show has sent to viewers.

“Just the message it sent to all the viewers of the United States of America, that the American dream is alive and well,” the dad of three told the outlet. “You can watch somebody that came on to that carpet that’s from Idaho, from New York, from L.A., doesn’t matter where. Started with nothing, came from nothing, dropped out of high school and was standing there trying to become a millionaire, and doing it. If they can do it, anybody watching can do it. And being able to send that message was always the most special part of Shark Tank to me.”