Curt Cignetti clarifies how much Indiana football did not spend on championship roster

Coach Curt Cignetti knows how much Indiana football spent on building a national championship team.

While he is not revealing details, he chimed in on a rival football general manager estimating teams are paying $40 million of player payroll to compete at the highest level.

Cignetti's response on social media: "Not even close."

Correct, not even close.#GOIU#IUFBhttps://t.co/vWbhErIZ7M

— Curt Cignetti (@CCignettiIU) April 16, 2026

Alabama football GM Courtney Morgan talked with Front Office Sports, estimating that teams trying to win the College Football Playoff are exceeding $40 million.

Alabama football GM Courtney Morgan says college football programs are spending "probably more than $40 million" to build a championship roster in the NIL era.

Morgan breaks down how elite programs navigate spending when "you never really know what other schools are spending." pic.twitter.com/MwRgFN2syQ

— Front Office Sports News (@FOS_News_) April 15, 2026

The Hoosiers beat the Crimson Tide 38-3 in the Rose Bowl, a CFP quarterfinal, on the way to an undefeated season.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Curt Cignetti reaction to how much Indiana football roster cost for championship