The Indiana Hoosiers have spent the entire 2025 campaign proving that their stunning rise to the forefront of college football in 2024 was not a fluke. Indiana went 14-0 during the regular season, which helped them earn the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. That has set the stage for a huge semifinal matchup with the Oregon Ducks, which will take place on Friday night.
Regardless of what happens in this game, it’s clear that the Hoosiers are here to stay, as they have transformed themselves into one of the top football schools in the nation in the blink of an eye. Having the backing from some wealthy alumni certainly doesn’t hurt, with perhaps the wealthiest of the bunch, Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban, recently sharing a big update that surely will make Indiana fans happy.
Mark Cuban Makes Donation to Indiana’s Athletics Department
Cuban is most well-known for his involvement with the Mavericks in the NBA, but before he turned himself into one of the most prominent businessmen in the world, he attended college at Indiana, where he graduated in 1981. Since then, Cuban has kept close tabs on his alma mater, with their stunning run in 2024 catching his attention.
With NIL deals quickly becoming one of the most important aspects of college sports, all eyes turned to Cuban to see if he would donate some of his wealth to the Hoosiers in an effort to help their sports programs continue to grow. That ended up being what he did last season after Indiana burst onto the scene as a CFP-caliber team.
This financial backing from Cuban has helped the Hoosiers dominate again this season, and while the team is already in a pretty great spot, they want to keep their foot on the gas pedal. Folks were curious as to whether or not Cuban would continue donating money to support to school’s athletics department, and he recently revealed that he already made his donation for the year in an effort to help Indiana with its work in the transfer portal.
“Already committed for this portal,” Cuban wrote in an email to Front Office Sports. “Let’s just say they are happier this year than last year,” implying that his donation is larger than it was last year.
Indiana Looking to Book Its Spot in National Championship Game
Soobum Im/Getty ImagesEUGENE, OREGON – OCTOBER 11: Head coach Curt Cignetti of the Indiana Hoosiers enters the field before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
NIL deals have completely changed the game in college football, but money can only get you so much. Credit has to be given to head coach Curt Cignetti for building one of the most powerful football programs in the nation during his time in charge of the team, as he’s ensured that the new financial support he’s received is being put to good use.
At this point, though, it’s championship or bust for Indiana, and it will face its toughest test of the season against Oregon when it returns to action. The Hoosiers handed the Ducks their only loss of the year during the regular season, but beating them again is going to be easier said than done. Kickoff for this highly anticipated contest is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday night.
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