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‘Shark Tank’ Season 12: Can Barbara Corcoran beat Coke and Pepsi with 'high risk' $100,000 Electra Beverages deal?

After getting a thumbs down from all other Sharks, including Kevin O'Leary, her last resort was Barbara Corcoran

A new beverage drink popped up on 'Shark Tank' but not too many people were happy with it. Dallas native and former WNBA star Fran Harris made her debut on the business reality television series and impressed Sharks with her salesman skills. However, the sports drink didn't impress them at all. 

Pitching her newest venture Electra Beverages, a sports drink for the “everyday athlete”, Harris said, “I've consumed tons of hydration drinks over the past 30 years – many of them full of sugar and artificial ingredients. Consumers are demanding healthier options – less sugar, fewer calories and more functionality.” On the episode, the sharks were Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran and Dallas’ own Mark Cuban.

They loved Harris's pitch and lauded her "straightforwardness" and "confidence" but Sharks clearly claimed that the "drinks weren't their cup of tea". In fact, Mr Wonderful aka Kevin O'Leary even asked her plan to stand in front of the "bond-crushing competition". They also called the beverage business “the worst possible space”. 

Dallas native, Cuban, said no immediately saying it will clash with sports drink company deals through his Dallas Mavericks. After getting a thumbs down from all other Sharks – including Kevin O'Leary – her last resort was Barbara Corcoran. Quashing her initial ask, she offered her a $100,000 investment and $250,000 line of credit for a 30% stake in the Electra contingent. And Harris immediately said "yes!" She also made a sarcastic jibe at Kevin saying, "Turns out you are not so Mr Wonderful!" 

During the pitch, she also said "competition is a good thing". Harris added, "The plan is to go direct to consumer and hire someone for logistics." 

Fans, however, agreed with the Sharks. "I have to agree with @BarbaraCorcoran, it is really high risk. I think Coke and Pepsi already own like 80% of the sports drink market. This is an uphill battle against the big players," one tweet read, while another said, "The big boys like Coco-Cola and Pepsi own the sport drink markets & they buy up competitors. #SharkTank."

Barbara, however, tweeted, "Every great entrepreneur doubles as a great salesperson. She is electric! #iDrinkElectra@ABCSharkTank #SharkTank."

The Twitter handle of Electra later tweeted, "WE GOT A DEAL! Meet the dream team. There are big projects heading our way this year. Thank you everyone for your love and support. WE'RE COMING FOR THAT A**."

‘Shark Tank’ Season 12 Episode 9 premiered on January 8, 2021, from 8 pm ET to 9 pm ET on ABC after the winter break. 

Missed an episode? Been wanting to catch up? Episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu. Not just that, you can also watch old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime and iTunes.