Mark Cubans Support Sparks Indianas Historic Football Title Run

The energy at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, was electric as the Indiana Hoosiers prepared to face off against the Miami Hurricanes for the College Football Playoff national championship on January 20, 2026. Among the sea of crimson and cream, one figure stood out on the field before kickoff—Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur, Dallas Mavericks minority owner, and perhaps Indiana’s most famous alum. Cuban’s presence was more than just ceremonial; it was a testament to the transformation Indiana’s football program has experienced under head coach Curt Cignetti, with Cuban’s influence and support playing a pivotal role.

For Cuban, this moment was the culmination of a journey that began decades ago when he graduated from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in 1981. “Not in my wildest dreams. On the list of probabilities, me dunking with my ankles was above us being in this game,” Cuban joked during an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay, expressing his disbelief and pride at seeing his alma mater on the sport’s grandest stage.

Indiana’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Since hiring Curt Cignetti from James Madison in 2024, the Hoosiers have compiled an astonishing 26-2 record, including a perfect 15-0 this season. The team’s first No. 1 ranking in school history, a Big Ten title for the first time in nearly 50 years, and dominant victories over Alabama and Oregon—by 35 and 34 points, respectively—have redefined what’s possible in Bloomington. The program’s journey to the national championship game marks its best season ever, and Cuban’s contributions have been instrumental in fueling this historic run.

“Honestly, I really jumped in because of how [Cignetti] approaches building a program,” Cuban told CBS Sports ahead of the title game. “They weren’t about, ‘Okay, give me enough money to go win the portal, to win this bidding war.’ He had a very specific approach to his culture. … He understood roles and how to get guys. It’s not even like the NBA where you might keep a guy like Dirk [Nowitzki] for 21 years or [Dwyane Wade]. Here, it’s like, you might have him for one year. That takes a very special way of putting together a program. You need the right players who know their roles, the right coaches. Once I understood that, it was pretty straightforward.”

Cuban’s investment in Indiana’s football program has been both financial and philosophical. Over the years, he has donated millions to the university, including a notable $5 million in 2015 for a sports media center. In recent seasons, his contributions have focused squarely on the football team, with sizeable donations during the Hoosiers’ College Football Playoff run and the transfer portal window. According to Front Office Sports, this marks the second straight season Cuban has made significant gifts to the athletic department since Cignetti’s arrival.

But Cuban’s involvement goes beyond writing checks. He’s become a visible presence at Indiana’s biggest games, attending both the Peach Bowl and the national championship. His belief in Cignetti’s vision is unwavering. “He didn’t come in and say, ‘I’m going to do all these grand things.’ He was just, ‘This is how we do it. I have a specific way. It’s always worked. There’s no reason why it’s not going to work again,’” Cuban explained on ESPN’s First Take. “It was like investing in an entrepreneur on ‘Shark Tank.’ He’d been there, done that, and he had an approach. And the fact that he has a system; the way he designs everything, the way he sells organizations, that’s really what connected with me.”

Indiana’s roster construction has become a talking point in the NIL and transfer portal era. Unlike powerhouse programs that chase five-star talent, the Hoosiers have built their squad with what they call “misfits”—no five-star recruits and just seven four-stars. Cuban said this is exactly what sets Indiana apart. “What I didn’t want was, ‘Give me more. Let me go bid on this guy,’” he said. “That’s why you see us, there’s no five-stars, seven four-stars because that’s how you build a program. I think that’s the difference for winning. And that was the Shark Tank pitch. We’re not going to chase or spend the most. But we’re going to be the smartest and put together a real program that knows how to win.”

Despite the unconventional approach, Indiana has thrived in the transfer portal, entering the championship ranked No. 2 in the On3 Industry Team Transfer Portal Rankings. Their class is led by TCU transfer Josh Hoover, the No. 19 overall player in the portal. The results speak for themselves, with Indiana’s team chemistry and resilience on display throughout their postseason run.

Central to Indiana’s on-field success is Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has thrown 41 touchdowns this season, including an eye-popping 31 completions out of 36 attempts in the playoffs. The defense has also been among the nation’s best, providing a balanced attack that has overwhelmed even the most formidable opponents.

Cuban’s relationship with Cignetti goes deeper than football strategy. Both were born at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh and share a reputation as relentless grinders. “We just connected. He came up the hard way. Coached at IUP, coached at Elon and James Madison, but he was successful everywhere. We immediately connected. Both grinders. That’s the Pittsburgh thing,” Cuban told ESPN’s College GameDay.

As speculation swirled about Cignetti’s future—especially with NFL teams always on the hunt for successful college coaches—Cuban was quick to downplay the possibility of his departure. “I think he’s smart enough not to fall for that because he won’t have the level of control. There’s so many more elements in professional sports – guys are there that are 35 or 40 (years old) and some places have 10 kids. That’s just a totally different type of system and management where with Coach Cig he has that level of control that he needs. He can get the exact players he wants. He doesn’t have to worry about a general manager who just got hired and he wants his own players in there. I don’t see him leaving,” Cuban told ESPN’s First Take.

As the Hoosiers prepared for the biggest game in school history, Cuban’s pride was palpable. “I’m so proud of the Hoosiers. It’s incredible.” The sense of community and achievement extended to past players and alumni, with Cuban noting how the program’s resurgence has united generations of Indiana fans.

With the national championship game underway and the outcome still hanging in the balance, one thing is certain: Indiana’s football program has been forever changed. Mark Cuban’s belief in Cignetti’s system, his strategic investments, and his unwavering support have helped build a culture of winning that goes beyond star ratings and recruiting battles. The Hoosiers’ journey has inspired their fan base and put the college football world on notice. Whether or not Indiana claims the title, the foundation is set for continued success—and the Hoosiers are no longer just dreaming big; they’re living it.