Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
The owner of the Dallas Mavericks and one of the most prominent investors onShark Tank, Mark Cuban, was notably offended by a simple joke during a pitch in Season 14. The billionaire, known for his candid feedback and no-nonsense approach, didn’t hold back in voicing his disapproval.
When two brothers came in to present their business idea, which included NBA-themed products, Cuban appeared visibly upset and frustrated, so much so that he not only refused to invest in the venture but also went as far as to call it the“dumbest marketing move”he’d ever seen.
Mark Cuban slammed NBA-themed air freshener pitch onShark Tank
Mark Cuban, currently in his final season as an investor onShark Tank, was stunned after Howard graduates Donovan Brown and Trey Brown came in to pitch their business idea for paper air fresheners for cars.
Inseason 14 ofShark Tank, they appeared on the show to pitch their air freshener company, FRSH. During their pitch, the brothers showed off some of their most popular products, which featured varied themes, including NBA logos and other fun quotes.
While presenting the one NBA-themed freshener with the logo of the Golden State Warriors, one of the brothers said,“This one smells like winning. Sorry, Mark,”joking about the Warriors’victory overCuban’s Dallas Mavericks in the 2022 Western Conference Finals.
However, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks did not take the pun very enthusiastically. Known forbeing quite upfront in the show, Cuban remained quiet until co-investor Robert Herjavec noticed his discomfort.
“That’s not on brand for me”: Kevin O’Leary, Who Acts Like a Money God on Shark Tank, Was Fired From His First Job for the Most Absurd Reason
Cuban immediately fired back, saying,“Dumbest marketing move ever, I’m out,” before declaring,“Seriously! You gotta read the room. Wrong move, wrong time.”
He continued expressing his frustration, saying,
What do you think? The one air freshener from the NBA is the team that beats us in the NBA conference Finals. You gotta know that it could backfire.
His strong reaction to the lighthearted joke left the FRSH owners and other Sharks, including Kevin O’Leary and Barbara Corcoran, equally shocked.
Mark Cuban’s outburst and rejection left fellow sharks shocked
After Mark Cuban expressed his frustration with their pitch, particularly the inclusion of a Golden State Warriors-themed product, his fellow Sharks were caught off guard by his strong reaction.
Once Cuban declared that he would not be making any offers,Kevin O’Leary, visibly surprised, remarked,“That’s it?”expressing his amazementat the billionaire’s decision to step down from the pitch.
Barbara Corcoran, who later expressed confidence in their business and offered $200,000 for 20% equity, also disagreed with Cuban’s argument, after he explained why he would not be making any offers.
“Unironically what the richest man in the world is currently working on”: Shark Tank’s Wildest Pitch Is What Elon Musk Is Trying to Make a Reality
“Oh Mark, you’re a bigger man than that,” she said before adding,“Cut it out.”Cuban, however, stood firm in his position, retorting,“Yeah… I could be but I’m not.”
However, despite the initial tension caused by Mark Cuban’s outburst, the Brown brothers eventually secured a deal with Barbara Corcoran. Before leaving, they took the opportunity to apologize to Cuban for causing his frustration.
Shark Tankis available to watch on Hulu.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
