Mark Cuban Bids Farewell to ‘Shark Tank’ After 15 Unforgettable Seasons
After 15 incredible seasons on the hit ABC reality show Shark Tank, Mark Cuban is officially saying goodbye. The 66-year-old billionaire entrepreneur will appear in his final episode on May 16 at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT, marking the emotional conclusion of Season 16.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) the day before, Cuban kept it simple yet poignant: “It was time to move on.”
Cuban’s journey with Shark Tank began as a guest shark in Season 2, before becoming a permanent fixture from Season 3 onward. Alongside fellow investors Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, and Kevin O’Leary, Cuban helped shape the show’s dynamic. Season 4 welcomed Lori Greiner as a full-time shark, and this season added KIND Snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky to the mix, according to USA Today.
For his farewell episode, Cuban faces off one last time with the other sharks in a thrilling battle to secure the season’s best investment deals — a fitting sendoff for a legendary tenure.
In an exclusive email to USA TODAY, Cuban expressed deep admiration for his fellow investors, highlighting their grit and dedication. “They all worked their butts off to get where they are. They aren’t there by accident,” he said, while giving special recognition to Barbara Corcoran for her remarkable “advanced understanding of people.”
Mark Cuban’s exit marks the end of an era on Shark Tank, but his impact on the show — and the world of entrepreneurship — will be felt for years to come.
Born on July 31, 1958, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mark Cuban’s entrepreneurial spirit ignited early. At just 12 years old, he was already selling garbage bags door-to-door to save up for a pair of basketball shoes — a glimpse of the relentless drive that would define his future.
After starting college at the University of Pittsburgh, Cuban transferred to Indiana University, where he earned his business degree. Shortly after graduating, he made the move to Dallas, Texas, and founded MicroSolutions, a computer consulting firm. In 1990, he sold the company to CompuServe for $6 million, setting the stage for even bigger ventures.
Cuban’s breakthrough came in 1995 with the launch of Broadcast.com, an internet radio company he co-founded. Just four years later, Yahoo! acquired the business for a staggering $5.7 billion in stock — a deal that skyrocketed Cuban into billionaire status.
In 2000, Cuban took a bold step into sports by purchasing the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. Under his ownership, the team transformed into a powerhouse, culminating in an NBA Championship victory in 2011. Beyond the court, Cuban became a household name through his dynamic role as a “shark” investor on ABC’s Shark Tank. Joining the show in its second season in 2011, he spent 15 seasons mentoring and investing in countless startups before announcing his departure following Season 16 in 2023.
But Cuban’s ambitions extend far beyond business and sports. In 2022, he launched the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, a groundbreaking effort to make generic medications more affordable and accessible.
As of May 2025, Cuban’s net worth is estimated at $5.7 billion. He lives in Dallas with his wife, Tiffany Stewart, and their three children, continuing to innovate and inspire across industries.
