CNN —
Mark Cuban is making waves with his decision to leave the renowned show that introduced America to the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks.
During an appearance on the Showtime podcast “All The Smoke,” Cuban discussed his time on the hit entrepreneur series “Shark Tank” with hosts and former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson.
“This is our 15th year. Next year, 16th year, is going to be my last year,” Cuban announced.
When Jackson humorously suggested that Cuban is “hanging up the shoes” like an athlete, Cuban responded, “It’s time.”
“Shark Tank” showcases successful business figures, or “sharks,” like Cuban, who evaluate pitches from aspiring entrepreneurs seeking investments to take their businesses to the next level. Cuban expressed his love for the show, stating that it “sends the message the American dream is alive and well.”
“I feel like in doing ‘Shark Tank’ all these years, we’ve trained a generation of entrepreneurs, 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,” Cuban said. “That’s what happens, right? Now we’ve got people coming on [saying] I watched you when I was 10 years old.”
Mark Cuban on the possibility of leaving ‘Shark Tank’
Cuban revealed his involvement in hundreds of companies featured on the show, stating, “on a cash basis I’m down a little bit, but on a mark to market, meaning the companies are still in operation, I’m way up.”
CNN has reached out to ABC for comment.
