Key Points Summary — Cuban Is Leaving Shark Tank
- Mark Cuban is exiting Shark Tank after season 16
- He joined in season 2 and became a full-time Shark in season 3
- Cuban says he wants more time with his three children
- He’s invested in 85 companies, including Ten Thirty One and Nut’s ‘N More
- On paper, he’s up; in cash, he admits he’s down a bit
- No direct replacement is planned, though Daniel Lubetzky joins as a permanent Shark
- Cuban plans to focus on his kids and his drug company, Cost Plus Drugs
A Billionaire Bows Out
Mark Cuban, the outspoken billionaire who brought edge, energy, and big checks to Shark Tank, is officially stepping away from the tank.
After 16 seasons of fielding pitches and making deals, Cuban says he’s done. The longtime investor first broke the news on the “All the Smoke” podcast in late 2023.
“This is our 15th year, and next year, our 16th year, is gonna be my last year,” he said. “So I got one more year to go … It’s time.”
A Painful Goodbye to the Shark Family
Cuban recently spoke to PEOPLE about his final days on set.
Filming that last episode was tougher than expected. “There was some closure and readiness,” he said. “But also, a lot of sadness.”
More than the show itself, Cuban says he’ll miss the people—everyone from producers to assistants to fellow Sharks. “They’re incredible,” he said.
But the real reason for his exit? Family.
Why Cuban Is Leaving the Tank
Cuban, 65, has made it clear: it’s not burnout. It’s fatherhood.
With kids in their teen and college years—Alexis, Alyssa, and Jake—he says he’s missed too many milestones while taping during summer and fall.
“When they were little, they’d wait for me. Now they’re older. They’re not waiting anymore,” he said. “I want to be there when they come home.”
Cuban said he has “no second thoughts at all.” The decision, he added, wasn’t about the show. It was about time.
Still Making an Impact
Despite stepping away, Cuban won’t vanish completely.
He still plans to manage his investments from the show and continue supporting the entrepreneurs he partnered with. “For them, it’s their life. I owe them my time and help,” he said.
Much of that attention will also go toward his growing health venture, Cost Plus Drugs, which aims to lower prescription prices for Americans.
That mission, he says, now deserves more of his time and focus.
The Investment Record
Since joining Shark Tank, Cuban has put his money into 85 different companies. His largest investment was $2 million in Ten Thirty One Productions.
He also helped grow popular ventures like Tower Paddle Boards, Prep Expert, and The Bottom Line.
Though Cuban admits he’s down a little in raw cash, he says many of the companies are still thriving. “On a mark-to-market basis, I’m way up,” he said.
Who Fills Cuban’s Chair?
Executive producer Clay Newbill says no one can truly replace Cuban.
“There will be no direct replacement,” he told the New York Times. “He’s a force on the show.”
However, Daniel Lubetzky, the founder of Kind Snacks, will join the panel full-time. He’s already made several guest appearances and is seen as a solid addition to the cast.
What’s Next for Cuban?
Don’t expect to see him on another reality show anytime soon.
Asked whether he’d return to TV, Cuban responded bluntly: “I doubt it.”
He’s not looking for more cameras. Instead, he’s looking forward to family vacations, long dinners, and quieter days.
As for Shark Tank, he’ll pop back in for company updates—but the era of Mark Cuban in the tank is officially coming to an end.
From boardrooms to beach days, Cuban says his next chapter is all about being present. And for this billionaire, that might just be the best investment yet.
