“It was weird” – Shark Tank star Mark Cuban reflects on how people treated him differently after he became a billionaire

Mark Cuban, the renowned billionaire entrepreneur and longtime investor on Shark Tank, recently opened up about the drastic shift in how people treated him after achieving billionaire status. Speaking on a podcast hosted by Jules Terpak, Cuban candidly described the experience by stating,

"When I turned it into cash, um, it was weird. Not so much the way I felt, but the way everybody else looked at me, because I went from being Mark to Mark Cuban the billionaire, that's the weirdest part."

Cuban, who joined Shark Tank in its third season, has since become one of the show’s permanent investors. Known for his strategic investments and straightforward approach, he has built a reputation as a no-nonsense businessman while mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs.

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Shark Tank's Mark Cuban on becoming a billionaire

Mark Cuban’s journey to billionaire status began with his work in technology and media. After co-founding the commercial streaming platform AudioNet (later Broadcast.com), Cuban sold the company to Yahoo! for $5.7 billion in 1999. Reflecting on the timing, Cuban acknowledged the role of luck, saying,

“If the internet bubble had happened when I was at MicroSolutions, maybe it’s a different beast… But it happened right when we were doing Broadcast.com, and that was the difference.”

He recalled the moment he realized he had become a billionaire, saying,

“I remember I was like sitting…refresh, refresh, till I hit it. And I just started jumping up and down dancing.”

However, what stood out most to him wasn’t the money but how his newfound wealth altered people's perceptions of him.

"I went from being Mark to Mark Cuban the billionaire," he noted.

Despite his success, Cuban emphasized how surreal the transition felt. “It’s inconceivable to me in a lot of ways,” he admitted, adding that he tries never to take his fortune for granted.

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Mavericks and more

After attaining billionaire status, Cuban shifted his focus to one of his most public ventures—the Dallas Mavericks. He purchased the NBA team in January 2000 for $285 million and revolutionized its culture.

Under his ownership, the Mavericks won the NBA Championship in 2011 and became one of the league’s most innovative franchises. Cuban credits the team with helping him stay grounded, explaining that turning the Mavericks around became his identity rather than being defined by his wealth.

Beyond basketball, Cuban has continued to make waves in other industries. He founded CostPlusDrugs.com, a platform dedicated to reducing medication prices through transparent pricing.

Additionally, he has invested in numerous companies through Shark Tank, supporting more than 85 businesses since joining the show. Cuban’s investments and leadership have solidified his reputation as a visionary entrepreneur who prioritizes innovation and accessibility.

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Preparing to exit Shark Tank

After Shark Tank season 16, fans will see Mark Cuban step away from his usual role on the show. He explained the reason in an interview with The Wrap, on October 14. He wants to spend more time with his family. He explained,

“We shoot in June and September, and just getting the opportunity now when [my kids] are getting out of school to be able to spend time directly with them, that’s important.”

Although his regular appearances on Shark Tank will decrease, Cuban reassured fans that his involvement with the companies he’s invested in will continue.

“I still have to do updates with the companies that I’ve invested in,”

He said, hinting that he might return occasionally to provide updates on his businesses.

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Shark Tank airs every Friday at 8/7c.