Sure, Mark Cuban has a net worth of $4.4 billion these days, however, success wasn't always a guarantee.
In fact, early on, he was working as a bartender, and getting fired from software jobs after only a year.
Prior to making it big with MicroSolutions, he didn't even have enough money to open up a bank account.
It would all change for Cuban once he entered the world of tech, however, despite all the success, he was still frowned upon by the world of Hollywood, for his bold ways and outspokenness.
He had the power financially, however, getting on a TV show wasn't easy. In fact, the first glimpse fans got of Cuban was on 'Entourage', as he played the role of himself.
Once upon a time, even the ABC hit show 'Shark Tank' hesitated to take him on board. After a rough first season, the program needed something big. Thankfully, they reconsidered and Cuban thrived on the show, and he continues to do so several seasons in.
Things could've been very different though, in truth... Thanks to leaked emails, Cuban's reaction was revealed to a certain offer, and let's just say he was none too pleased.
Let's take a look at the very offer along with his road to getting on the show, which was filled with bumps.
Cuban Had Less Than $200 Before Entering The Tech World
Before the billions came in, Cuban admitted alongside CNBC that he barely had $200 to his name, which meant opening a bank account was a task in itself.
"When I was broke and sleeping on the couch, I couldn’t open up a bank account. You needed to have 200 bucks. You needed this, you needed that. They didn’t give me one,” said Cuban.
Mark was encouraged to play it safe by his family and work a normal job, like lay carpet... However, he had other things in mind, computers.
"When I got one of my first jobs out of school using technology, it was like, wait, I love this. I’ve taught myself the program, I could go seven hours, eight hours without taking a break thinking it was 10 minutes because I was concentrating so hard and so excited and really loved it. And that’s when I realized that I can be really, really good at technology.”
He never looked back and he would thrive, later purchasing the Mavs and becoming a well-known name around the world.
When it comes to his reality TV career, turns out, making it wasn't exactly easy.
Getting On 'Shark Tank' Wasn't Easy
Given his worth and persona, 'Shark Tank' and Mark Cuban seem like the perfect fit.
However, Cuban admitted, that wasn't the case early on. The show needed to be nudged, as at first, they hesitated to take Mark. With low ratings in the first season, they needed a change, and thankfully, it came in the shape of Mark Cuban.
Not only had Cuban evolved during his time on the show but he also admits, the show did a lot of growing up as well, "When I first came on as a guest, there were fart candles and patches with lights you put on the back of your jeans,” Cuban said. “The entrepreneurs were trying, but they were silly. We’ve evolved to finding companies that are impactful.”
Cuban takes great pride in his role on the show and in truth, he's often the most sought-after shark.
Believe it or not, that sought-after shark almost left the show due to poor negotiations on Sony's part.
Cuban Was Insulted By Their Offer
Hacked emails were released to the public, one of them showed an interaction between Sony and Cuban, working on a new 'Shark Tank' deal. It seems like Cuban scoffed at the first offer, which was in the $30,000 per episode range.
Cuban wrote, "Seriously? no chance... this is beyond an insult and it shows no one cares about the investments I have made or the entrepreneurs."
In true Cubes-like fashion, he showed no remorse when the emails were leaked, claiming it is nothing he wouldn't say to the public.
"It's nothing I wouldn't have said publicly."
"If they want me to continue to do 'good television' and make investments that I like to do but that I otherwise would not have done or would not have been accessible to me, then it's a decision they have to make. And if we don't come to a resolution, I'll leave the show."
Thankfully, it all worked out.
