Note: This story contains spoilers of season 16 of “Shark Tank”, episode 20.
The cast of “Shark Tank” offered its longtime investor Mark Cuban a farewell in tears while they closed the final of season 16.
“This show changed me,” said Cuban during the emotional spill. “I think I changed the show, and I think we all have together as sharks, changed America.”
The final, broadcast on Friday May 16, opened as usual, with several eager and hungry entrepreneurs ready to plunge their toe into the reservoir in the hope of biting one of the sharks.
Entering the carpet was the luxury Candle Company Big Ass Luxuries, a MITT company removing ticks called Tick Mitt, an invisible line of panties called Stringys, as well as a mother-daughter store called Deviled Egg Co. which sells gastronomic eggs Deviled. Cuban made its latest “Shark Tank” investment with Deviled Egg Co., in a joint agreement with the Co-Star Barbara Corcoran for $ 250,000 for a 20% stake in the company.
But while the episode ended, “Shark Tank” pivoted a special segment dedicated to Cuban.
“I literally remember:” This program will not last, “said Cuban, who played for the first time on ABC series in season 2 and became a regular investor in season 3, while he was thinking about his 15 seasons.” Go there, tear it away. Raise hell, causing trouble. I really didn’t expect a third season, then in boom, it just exploded. “
As the episode has shown an assembly of all the companies he helped to finance and supervise – including guy’s, simple sugars, bugs to eat and even more – Cuban said he understood and relates to the challenges and the difficulties that dreamers who presented their companies in the show were confronted.
“I think I just brought a little advantage where I tried not to do so on an academic investment program, but no more a show that concerns people who try to achieve their goals, trying to realize their dreams,” said Cuban. “I am in their shoes. I was broke, I slept on the ground. I can put myself in the place of almost all those who stand on the carpet. ”
Cuban has supported at least 85 companies financially since he joined “Shark Tank”.
“What I would like to say is thanks to all those who tried my luck, all the entrepreneurs who told me yes,” said Cuban. “Who knows how many millionaires we have created and their employees. How many people we have inspired. I’m proud of what we have done. “
Then, the remarks of his colleagues Sharks Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec and Kevin O’Leary. While several invited sharks came and left, the six remained the basic cast. Together, in front of their emblematic chairs for the last time, they shared their last reflections on Cuban.
“I learned a lot, a real pleasure to have you here, we will miss you,” said Herjavec.
“Mark, making you go, it’s really that making a big brother leave the house,” said Corcoran.
“You are a warrior, you are a humanitarian, you are just a big person very tall and I admire you and I respect you and I love you,” added Greine.
“He continues to change the world and I love you, guy,” said John.
“I am so proud of what we have all built together, we have become ambassadors of the American dream in the world.
Cuban sounded with loving words for his co-stars before sharing an cheers.
“You are incredible. I mean, I learned so much from you.
Cuban first shared the news he was leaving from the show while appearing on the sports podcast “All The Smoke” in 2023.
“It’s our 15th year. The 16th year of next year will be my last year. So I only had one more year,” he revealed at the time. “It’s time.” Cuban told Thewrap in October 2024 that he had decided to leave the show in order to spend more time with his family, sharing that he doubts that he will never return to reality TV despite some offers.
“I am asked a lot now that people know that I am leaving – I doubt it,” said Cuban in Thewrap previously in response to whether or not he was directing another program centered on the company or would return to reality TV in general.
“I’m just leaving to spend more time with my children – these are teenagers now. When they were younger, my wife and I were able to tell them where to be and when; Now they don’t listen to us, ”said Cuban. “We are shooting in June and September, and we just get the opportunity now when they leave school to be able to spend time directly with them, it’s important. I’m tired of missing this.”
The founder of Kind Snacks, Daniel Lubetzky, was promoted to a full -time shark investor in the successful ABC series in September 2024.
“Shark Tank” returns for season 17 this fall on ABC. The past episodes are now broadcasting on Hulu.
