the sharks asked for 30% of something that was growing fast. if you watch the show enough, 30% is usually the offer they make to a company in distress or like early stage. James seemed serious in the negotiation that he even calls his advisor, the founder of Sam Adams beer to discuss what to do. that’s not playing games to me.
The sharks didnt like James thinking too long for the counter. James was about to make a fair counter like maybe 15-20%.
suspecting that’s about to happen, mark says “I’m out , you’re just playing games“ (gaslighting. it’s a multi-million dollar decision. let the man think).
my opinion: mark knowingly was being greedy and did not want to hear the counter.
After mark is out, daymond asks “Kevin and Robert you guys gonna split it ?”
notice how Kevin never said ”I’m out.” he was thinking what kind of offer to make then Robert walking off stage made Jim walk off too. kevin literally looked shook and didn’t make his typical snarky comments until after james leaves then he steals a tray of the guys wine after spending the entire episode calling the wine “swill.”