NEED TO KNOW
Pete Davidson is testing the water at Shark Tank.
In PEOPLE’s exclusive first look at the season 17 premiere of the ABC series, the Saturday Night Live alum, 31, enters the Tank with a laugh alongside DoubleSoul founder Ben Rosenbaum, leaving the Sharks surprised and saying “no way.”
“Hey, Sharks. I’m Ben from New York,” Rosenbaum says before Davidson — who serves as the sock brand’s creative director — gets straight down to business.
“Hi, I’m Pete, and we are seeking 500 grand for 4% for our company, DoubleSoul,” he informs Sharks Robert Herjavec, Lori Greiner and Kevin O’Leary as well as guest Sharks Kendra Scott and Rashaun Williams.
ABC
Rosenbaum noted that before founding DoubleSoul that “buying socks felt like a major compromise.”
“You know, you usually get socks in Foot Locker,” Davidson adds. “There’s that big bin. You get a 20 pack. They’re kind of lifeless.”
Rosenbaum notes that “this isn’t an athletic sock, it’s not a novelty sock. We took the best of both worlds and created the perfect everyday sock.”
Davidson then shares his own first impression of the product. “I get sent a lot of crap, and I usually give it to my cousins,” he jokes. “I got sent DoubleSoul [socks] a couple years ago, and I had to meet the team, and I wanted to be involved immediately.”
ABC
“Alright, Sharks, we picked out some great pairs for you guys to try,” Rosenbaum concludes. “Excited to see what you guys think.”
Fans will have to wait until the season 17 premiere on Sept. 24 to find if Davidson and Rosenbaum make a deal.
Davidson is not the first star to appear on Shark Tank.
Jimmy Kimmel pitched the Sharks twice while Seth McFarlane, David Schwimmer, and Sopranos’s Vinnie Pastor also appeared.
ABC
Some stars have even made it a family affair! Former NFL player Rob Gronkowski appeared with his brothers Dan, Gordie Jr., Chris and Glenn for their company, IceShaker. Maria Shriver and son Patrick Schwarzenegger also made a joint appearance for their protein bar brand, MOSH.
Athletes including Metta World Peace, Bill Walton, Antonio Brown and Brandon Jacob have also pitched to the Sharks.
Davidson previously opened up about what drew him to get involved with DoubleSoul.
“They’re comfy and sexy, and the name is cool,” he told W Magazine in 2024 of DoubleSoul. “A lot of people come to me with [partnership requests], and I’m like, this seems interesting, but I don’t really know how to do it.”
“But everyone needs socks. Socks are an afterthought: You get a 20-pack at Foot Locker, or you’re going to the gas station and buying Barbie socks, or socks with burgers on them,” he added.
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Season 17 of Shark Tank premieres Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 10pm ET/PT on ABC.
