NEED TO KNOW
- Mark Cuban ended his 14-year journey as an investor on Shark Tank on Friday, May 16
- In the season 16 finale, Cuban reminisced on his impact on entrepreneurship as several founders he invested in came back to thank him for his help
- Cuban’s fellow Sharks also said goodbye to him in an emotional final toast
Mark Cuban’s time on Shark Tank has officially come to an end.
On Friday, May 16, the 66-year-old billionaire businessman closed his final deal (with a luxury deviled egg company!) after 14 years on the long-running show. At the end of the milestone episode, Cuban looked back at his impact on entrepreneurship over the past 15 seasons.
“I remember literally thinking, ‘This show is not gonna last. Just go on there, just tear it up, raise Hell, cause trouble,’ ” he admitted. “I really didn’t expect there to be a third season, and then, boom. It just blew up.”
Ironically, season 3 was when Cuban became a main cast member of the ABC hit after making several guest appearances the year prior.
“I think I just brought a little bit of an edge, where I tried to make it not so much about an academic investment show, but more a show that is about people trying to reach their goals, trying to have their dreams come true,” he explained of his success. “I’ve been in their shoes. I’ve been broke, I’ve been sleeping on the floor. I can put myself in the shoes of pretty much anybody who’s standing on the carpet.”
Some of the entrepreneurs Cuban invested in also returned in the finale to thank him for his support.
“From getting a deal with Mark, our lives have completely changed,” said the founders of BeatBox Beverages, who made a deal with Cuban in season 6. “We’re over $350 million in lifetime sales.”
The faces behind Dude Wipes hit an even bigger number, saying they have done over half a billion dollars in sales since their pitch in season 7.
“We’re so grateful to Mark and to Shark Tank for where we are today,” they gushed.
“What I’d like to say is, thanks to everybody who took a chance on me, all the entrepreneurs who said yes to me,” Cuban later added. “Who knows how many millionaires we’ve created, and their employees, how many people we’ve inspired? I’m proud of what we’ve done.”
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His fellow Sharks closed out the season 16 finale with an emotional toast to Cuban.
“Mark, having you leave is really like having a big brother leave the house,” Barbara Corcoran said before Lori Greiner added: “You’re a warrior, you’re a humanitarian, you’re just an all-around great, great person. And I admire and respect you and love you.”
Robert Herjavec shared that he has “learned a lot” in his time working with Cuban, as Daymond John noted that he has “changed the world.”
Kevin O’Leary, teary-eyed, went on to praise Cuban for the imprint he left on everyone who knows him or looks up to him.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve all built together,” he said. “We have become ambassadors of the American dream around the world. So much of it is because of you. We don’t always agree. We don’t. And sometimes, you’ve learned a lot from me!”
“You guys are amazing,” Cuban replied. “I mean, I’ve learned so much from all of you. We’ve had such an impact. And to Shark Tank, to the people who supported us, to the people who love us, I love you guys like family. Thank you.”
In the final few moments, Cuban made one final remark. “This show changed me. I think I changed the show. And I think we all together as Sharks changed America.”
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