As Curt Cignetti’s No. 1 Indiana prepares for the College Football National Championship game in Miami against Miami on Monday, it’s phenomenal how much the Hoosiers have progressed in just the past two years. Before Cignetti’s arrival, Indiana struggled to find consistent success, but the Hoosiers saw a dramatic turnaround in the last two seasons, recording their best-ever combined record of 26-2.
Mark Cuban’s Donation Gets Brutally Honest Response from Curt Cignetti
The Dallas Mavericks minority owner, Mark Cuban, an Indiana Kelley School of Business alum, has become a prominent supporter of Indiana University’s athletics and football program under Cignetti.
Cignetti discussed Cuban’s involvement during his pre-game press conference ahead of Monday’s National Championship.
“If Mark Cuban wanted to donate $10 million, that’d be like me donating $10,000,” Cignetti said. “We are glad that he’s involved. And he keeps doubling this donation. It will be big one day.”
Cuban was among the fans cheering for the Hoosiers during their 56-22 win over Oregon in the Peach Bowl. He has donated millions to Indiana over the years, including a $5 million gift in 2025 for a sports media center. When asked before the Peach Bowl what he expects in return for his donations, Cuban simply said he wants the Hoosiers to win.
Cuban has also helped Indiana make an immediate impact in the transfer portal. In an email to Front Office Sports, he wrote he is “already committed” but left decisions about the money to Athletic Director Scott Dolson, without specifying the amount.
“A lot of people can give money to chase the biggest names, and I learned that in the NBA, right?” Cuban told WTHR.
“A name comes up, and everybody wants to win the summer. Everybody wants to win the portal, but that’s not putting together a team, and I think that’s what Coach (Cignetti) and Scott have done better than any other school where they understand the roles that are needed for Coach and what needs to happen on his team, and they get players that, you know, like he says, ‘I want production, not potential.’
“And to do that and be disciplined, that’s how you stay relevant and stay current and keep on winning because you’ve got to know how to put together a team, and I think that’s where they really excel.”
Cuban said that he didn’t make a direct donation to the athletic department until December 2024, following Indiana’s 11-2 season that shocked college football. He said his relationship with Cignetti also influenced his decision to contribute to Indiana, which is currently the No. 1 team in the PFSN College Football Offense and Defense Metrics.
