Mark Cuban makes Shark Tank remove equity clause in contract

I've read interviews before where it was indicated they know nothing (and want to know nothing) until they walk through the doors to make their pitch. The extensive due diligence is done after the show, which is why deals struck on the show often fall through later on. For example, some of the companies that pitch indicate that they have patents, but of course the validity and defensibility of such patents is something that has to be researched, not something you can take their word for. So on the show they're like, "Do you have a patent?" and they reply, "Yes (or no)" and that's the end of that line of questioning because it has to be researched independently.

The reason they seem to get to the crux of the issues so quickly, is because like most reality shows, it is heavily edited. A five or ten minute segment on the show reflects sometimes hours of questioning and discussion. From what I understand they have VERY long days (much longer than 8 hours, more like 12-14 hours a day) so it's almost an endurance thing for the sharks, because they spend so much time fleshing out the issues (and why wouldn't they since they're investing real money).

Personally I love the show also. Also check out Dragon's Den, which has both a Canadian and a British version (same format though, 5 investors all competing), and more recently CNBC's show The Profit where Marcus Lemonis (who was on the Secret Millionaire) by himself goes to failing businesses and invests a hundred K or two and takes over management for a week to turn things around.

I love this new era of entrepreneurship-themed TV, beats the hell out of Survivor or Lost. =)

Wow, he's the real deal looking out for the entrepreneurs. Kinda reflects badly on the other sharks that they weren't agitating to end the Finnmax abusive equity grab too. I concur that a better class of startups can now show up, versus just desperate ones who would give away 5% of their company to extortionists.

Have always seen Dragon's Den but didn't pay it much attention for the same reason. I may just revisit it now, based on your recommendation. Thanks :)

The patent move always had me scratching my head - how they could just take their word for it and move on so quickly. Never understood it, but now it makes sense.

I'm really glad I read this. I thought from the headline that it meant he wanted the sharks to have more wiggle room to get out of deals made on the show, or something similar that would make me think less of Cuban.

I couldn't have been more wrong. This is great for entrepreneurs. Giving up five percent just for the chance to make a deal is BS. Giving it up to a TV production company is even more BS. I greatly admire and respect Cuban for having the guts to stand up for these startups. (And it really does turn out to be in his interest too -- smart founders should balk at having to give up five percent just to appear on the show!)

This is also interesting that he waited to push for this until now.

It just goes to show that no matter how rich you are, you have to understand your value. If he had pushed for this change in Season 1 - which I suspect he may have - he probably didn't get anywhere because the show could always replace him.

Now that he has become synonymous with Shark Tank, he has much more leverage, along with the fact that maybe this clause has increasingly become an issue for companies.