Hoosiers Daily News: How Mark Cuban helped Indiana land Fernando Mendoza

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; American businessman and television personality Mark Cuban before the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mark Cuban’s presence has been felt around Indiana Athletics before, but few spots felt as significant as his attendance during Indiana’s game at Notre Dame in the 2024-25 College Football Playoff.

Cuban sporting the apparel of Hoosiers Connect, the athletic department’s official NIL partner, took in the Hoosiers’ first playoff appearance from a suite in Notre Dame Stadium alongside athletic director Scott Dolson and university president Pamela Whitten. Dolson brought up Indiana’s recruiting efforts in the transfer portal, focusing on a quarterback who could fit Curt Cignetti’s offense.

“We’ve got this quarterback that we really really like that we think would be great,” Dolson said, according to Cuban. “Just need a litttttle bit more.”

“How much is a little bit?” Cuban replied.

When he heard the amount and thought about it, considering the program’s sudden rise, Cuban made his move.

“I’ll put up the money to get this quarterback.”

Cuban told this story during an interview with Front Office Sports. Fernando Mendoza would go on to join his brother Alberto, who Cuban met previously while attending Dallas Mavericks games against the Mendozas’ hometown Miami Heat, with the Hoosiers. The rest is history.

Here’s what you need to know about the Hoosiers:

ICYMI

• Joel Klatt compares new Indiana QB Josh Hoover to Fernando Mendoza