Overview
- Cignetti, who replied Thursday on X, said Indiana was “not even close” to $40 million after Alabama GM Courtney Morgan told Front Office Sports that top teams are spending “probably more than $40 million.”
- Morgan noted that no one truly knows what other schools spend, and there is no public database, which has left outsiders leaning on surveys like On3’s poll that pegged USC and others as heavy spenders for the 2026 cycle.
- Indiana’s stance comes after an undefeated 2025 season in which the Hoosiers routed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl on their way to the national title.
- Public figures are scarce, but reported NIL estimates for key Hoosiers included about $2.6 million for quarterback Fernando Mendoza and $1.2 million for tackle Carter Smith, and IU alumnus Mark Cuban has recently funded the program.
- As the spending debate grows, Indiana is also navigating spring injuries and absences, with Cignetti saying 17 players are out of initial drills but calling most of the issues minor.