Richard Branson, Alex Rodriguez and More Will Guest Judge on Shark Tank Next Season The three-time Emmy winner returns for a ninth season later this year.

Frazer Harrison | Getty Images
Richard Branson

Shark Tank fans didn't have to wait very long to find out the fate of ABC's hit series. Ahead of the season eight finale on Friday, the network announced that it was renewing the reality TV franchise for a ninth season.

And in the fall, the show's mainstay investors, Mark Cuban, Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O'Leary, Robert Herjavec and Lori Greiner will be joined by some big name guest sharks.

Related: All 7 Shark Tank Stars Share Tips on How to Become a Millionaire

Throughout the season, contestants will have the chance to pitch entrepreneurs such as Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, Spanx founder Sara Blakely, Real Housewife and Skinnygirl founder Bethenny Frankel, venture capitalist and branding expert Rohan Oza and former MLB player Alex Rodriguez.

In 2016, Shark Tank won its third Emmy Outstanding Structured Reality Program and the final episode of the season was watched by nearly 4 million viewers.

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Buying / Investing in Business

Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Starting a Business

A Cambodian Refugee Paralyzed By Polio Says 'Not Much' Was Expected of Him. He and His Wife Built a Multimillion-Dollar Business That Beat All Odds.

Steve and Brittany Yeng were discouraged from pursuing their unique idea, but they didn't listen to the naysayers.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Side Hustle

She Quit Her Job at Trader Joe's After Starting a Side Hustle With $800 — Then She and Her Brother Grew the Business to $20 Million

Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula teamed up to build a business in an industry that "didn't exist" yet.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Finds a Buyer in One Day for Her $12 Million 'Palace in the Sky' Penthouse

Corcoran bought the duplex co-op for $10 million in 2015 and spent $2 million renovating it.