Indiana football gets big Mark Cuban NIL donation as transfer portal heats up

Indiana University's football program has experienced a meteoric rise under head coach Curt Cignetti, who has successfully leveraged alumni support to enhance the team's competitiveness. Among the prominent alumni backing the program is billionaire Mark Cuban, who has made significant financial contributions to Indiana's athletics for the first time. Cuban's donations have been pivotal in enabling the Hoosiers to capitalize on the transfer portal, bringing in top talent to bolster the team.

Cuban confirmed making a substantial donation just before the transfer portal opened on January 2, indicating it exceeded his previous contributions. His investment has contributed to Indiana's remarkable achievements, including a 2024 playoff berth and an undefeated 2025 season, earning them the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff and the Big Ten championship. The team is now favored to win the national title and will face No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl.

Key to Indiana's success has been the strategic use of the transfer portal, with significant players like Heisman