“Shark Tank” investor Daymond John has filed a temporary restraining order against former show contestants, claiming they’ve been trying to “undermine” the agreed upon business partnership.
John is one of the longtime “sharks” on the hit reality competition show on ABC. On “Shark Tank,” small business owners compete to secure investments from entrepreneurs in an effort to take their companies to the next level.
Al “Bubba” Baker, his wife Sabrina, and daughter Brittani allege that John cut them out of profits and tried to seize control of the business, Bubba Q’s Boneless Baby Back Ribs, after they brokered a deal with the investor following an appearance on the show in 2013.
John responded with legal action over their alleged efforts “to undermine a business partnership and the legal parameters they agreed to four years ago,” his spokesperson Zach Rosenfield told People in a statement.
“After repeated attempts to give the Baker’s the ability to correct their violations. It is unfortunate that it has come to this,” the statement explained. “Their belief that they can unwind poor business decisions through slanderous social media posts and articles will no longer be tolerated.”
The Bakers claimed that John’s $300,000 offer for 30 percent of the company was revised off air to $100,000 for 35 percent, per the outlet.
The family later said they received around 4 percent of the stated $16 million in revenue from the business. They also alleged that Al Baker, a former NFL defensive end, was left out of meetings and decision making. The family has been sharing their story via social media, and it was documented in an L.A. Times article.
John responded to the piece, saying the article included a “flawed interview” and “false narrative.” His TikTok video message included the caption, “I have nothing at all to hide whatsoever because I know the truth is on my side.”
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The millionaire entrepreneur also sent a cease-and-desist letter to the family which said they must stop “making publicly disparaging or defamatory remarks against Plaintiffs, and further, cease publicly revealing Confidential Information.”
The Bakers allegedly penned a letter to the judge in response to John’s petition, arguing, “Sharing our experience on social media is an honest and truthful account of our journey. We firmly believe that the truth is in the best interest of the public.”