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By Jordan Sigler
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No. 1 Indiana set to take on No. 5 Oregon in the College Football Playoff at the Peach Bowl on Friday after plowing through No. 9 Alabama 38-3 in the quarterfinal.
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Much of the Hoosiers' success in the past two seasons has been from the aggressiveness of head coach Curt Cignetti, finding and landing talent in the transfer portal. He took several players with him from James Madison for the 2024 season.
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After making a CFP appearance last year, Cignetti was able to convince quarterback Fernando Mendoza to take $2.3 million in the transfer portal, $1 million less than what Miami was willing to offer.
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The deal worked for the Hoosiers and Mendoza, as IU won the Big Ten championship and has an opportunity to make the CFP national championship with a win over Oregon on Friday night. Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and could be the No. 1 pick in April's draft.
Per Alex Schiffer of Front Office Sports, IU graduate Mark Cuban confirmed he made another donation to the Hoosiers for the transfer portal in 2026. He has a strong connection with Cignetti.
Cignetti didn't specify how much he donated to IU, but suggested it was more than he gave last year.
“Already committed for this portal,” Cuban wrote. “Let’s just say they are happier this year than last year."
Indiana has landed a few elite pieces in the transfer portal before next season. With Mendoza headed for the draft, IU is reloading its offense with TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, Michigan State receiver Nick Marsh and Boston College running back Turbo Richard.
Per CBS Sports, Cuban talked to Cignetti around the time Indiana played Notre Dame in the CFP in December of 2024, prompting the billionaire to donate to the program for the first time.
"I gave some to sports this year for the first time ever," Cuban said. "Typically, I was the exact opposite. I'm not a fan of anything that I believe raises tuition in the least bit. But after getting to talk to Cig and seeing what was going on, they kinda talked me into it."
Cuban has donated to his former school in other departments over the years. He gave $5 million to create a sports media and technology center and $6 million to the university's club rugby team.
A potential blooming dynasty in Bloomington is well-funded.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
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