Camping World and Marcus Lemonis Win $9.5M Legal Victory Against Tumbleweed Tiny Homes Over CNBC’s The Profit
Camping World, Inc. and its affiliate FreedomRoads Holding Company, LLC, both subsidiaries of Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CWH), have achieved a sweeping legal victory in a high-profile arbitration case stemming from the CNBC reality television series The Profit. The case was brought by Tumbleweed Tiny Homes, a manufacturer of small prefabricated homes that had participated in the show, along with its CEO Steve Weissmann. The final judgment, delivered by Retired Judge Candace Cooper, not only dismantled the claims brought by Tumbleweed and Weissmann, but also awarded nearly $9.5 million in damages and legal fees to the defendants, which include Camping World, FreedomRoads, and the show’s star, Marcus Lemonis.
The Legal Dispute
The legal conflict originated from Tumbleweed and Weissmann’s involvement in The Profit, a series in which Marcus Lemonis invests in struggling businesses and attempts to turn them around. Tumbleweed and Weissmann accused Lemonis and the affiliated companies of misconduct in the aftermath of their appearance on the show. However, in her final ruling, Arbitrator Cooper rejected each and every one of those accusations, labeling them “baseless” and instead finding the plaintiffs themselves to be liable for significant financial misconduct.
According to the ruling, Tumbleweed and Weissmann failed to repay critical loans extended to them by FreedomRoads—funds that were instrumental in keeping their business afloat. Cooper’s findings emphasized that Lemonis had acted in good faith throughout the relationship, stating that “the weight of the evidence shows that Lemonis was attempting to ‘save’ Tumbleweed, not have it fail.”
As a result, Weissmann was held personally liable for $4.1 million in damages owed to FreedomRoads. On top of that, Camping World, FreedomRoads, and Lemonis were awarded nearly $4.5 million in attorneys’ fees and costs. Additional awards amounting to $5 million were granted to NBCUniversal and Machete Corporation—other respondents in the case—bringing the total financial impact to roughly $9.5 million in favor of the defense.
Judge Christopher Liu of the Los Angeles Superior Court subsequently confirmed Cooper’s arbitration award, and on July 8, 2025, entered formal judgment against both Tumbleweed and Weissmann.
Allegations of Fraudulent Business Conduct
Following the arbitration decision, further troubling information about Weissmann’s conduct emerged. Public filings revealed that even after the arbitration had commenced—and while he was aware of his company’s financial insolvency—Weissmann continued to accept deposits from customers for tiny homes that Tumbleweed could no longer build or deliver.
Nearly a dozen customers reportedly paid over $250,000 in deposits for homes that were never constructed. As of the most recent updates, Weissmann had not returned those deposits, raising serious ethical and potentially legal concerns about his handling of customer funds.
Lemonis Responds
In a public statement after the decision, Marcus Lemonis expressed a sense of vindication and hoped the outcome would serve as a cautionary tale. “I hope this case is an example to people that there are consequences for pursuing false allegations. The truth matters. In this case, yet again, the truth won,” Lemonis said.
This latest ruling continues a pattern of legal victories for Lemonis and Camping World in cases stemming from The Profit. It marks the second fully litigated case in which the arbitration panel sided entirely with Lemonis and his team.
A String of Legal Wins
The earlier major case was brought by the estate of Precise Graphix, another former participant on The Profit. In that instance, Retired Judge Ann I. Jones, acting as arbitrator, concluded that Lemonis had “at all times acted in good faith” with regard to his dealings with Precise Graphix. That case also resulted in a judgment of over $7 million awarded to the defense.
Two other lawsuits filed by attorney Michael Fox on behalf of disgruntled business owners were similarly unsuccessful. One was thrown out by a New York state court, which went so far as to sanction Fox for frivolous litigation. In another case in Illinois, Fox voluntarily dismissed claims against Lemonis under the looming threat of sanctions.
Pattern of Frivolous Lawsuits
These recurring lawsuits appear to follow a familiar pattern: former business participants on The Profit who enter into partnerships with Lemonis and his affiliated entities later file legal claims when their businesses fail to succeed. However, courts and arbitrators have consistently found that these claims lack substance, and that Lemonis and his companies had acted appropriately and in good faith.
The most recent decision involving Tumbleweed Tiny Homes reinforces that trend and could potentially dissuade others from launching similarly unfounded lawsuits. In each case, the courts have not only rejected the plaintiffs’ arguments but have also imposed significant financial penalties in response to their attempts to weaponize the legal system with baseless allegations.
Final Thoughts
This judgment sends a strong message: attempts to shift blame for failed business ventures through unfounded legal action will not succeed—especially when the evidence paints a clear picture of responsible conduct on the part of Lemonis and Camping World. For Marcus Lemonis, whose reputation as a no-nonsense investor was forged on national television, this victory solidifies his standing both in business and in the courtroom.
With nearly $9.5 million now awarded to the defense in this latest case, and previous wins totaling millions more, Lemonis and Camping World continue to demonstrate resilience in the face of legal adversity—and a commitment to standing by the truth.
