Why is Mark Cuban done with Shark Tank after 15 seasons? His worst investment ever and message to fellow sharks

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While there is no controversial reason behind his exit, Cuban revealed that he wants to be a family man now. He and his wife, Tiffany Stewart, have three kids, Alexis, Alyssa, and Jake, all now teenagers. “When they were younger, they would wait for Dad,” he told People magazine. “Now they’re not waiting for Dad at all,” and that probably stung. According to him, the show’s packed schedule in June and September, which used to be manageable, has become harder to justify. “I want to be there for them when they’re heading back to school,” he said. But fans of Shark Tank can still expect him every now and then, as he revealed he is taking full responsibility for follow-up updates on the 85 companies he has invested in. “So I’ll come back and visit, do my updates, and then turn it over to somebody,” he said.

Mark Cuban’s worst investment

Looking back, Mark Cuban didn’t flinch when naming his biggest regret on the show. According to USA Today, it was a company called Breathometer. Longtime followers of the show will remember the 2013 pitch by Charles Michael Yim, who proposed the first-ever smartphone breathalyzer. The pitch was so solid that all the ‘sharks’ agreed and invested $1 million together. But a few years later, the FTC shut down the budding startup, accusing the company of misleading customers. Breathometer eventually settled and had to refund everyone who bought the $49.99 product. “It was a lot of money, and I did a poor job of due diligence. It really didn’t turn out anywhere near what I expected,” Cuban said.

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Speaking about his bond with the fellow sharks, Cuban said he genuinely respects them, even during times when they were all embroiled in heated arguments. “They all worked their butts off to get where they are. They aren’t there by accident,” he said. But one shark stands out in his eyes. “I respect Barb’s talents the most,” Cuban said. “She’s the best judge of character and commitment in entrepreneurs that I’ve ever seen.” He also spoke about Kevin O’Leary and praised how he “always looks for ways to use royalties, which is rarely, if ever, good for the company,” adding that there is no bad blood.