BORDEN — As Sens. Maria Cantwell and Ted Cruz unveiled legislation aimed at tackling various hot-button topics in collegiate athletics, Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti remained reluctant to weigh in on the issues, even as he acknowledged the cost to build a competitive roster is spiraling out of control.
“The market is pretty expensive,” Cignetti said, before speaking at an event at the athletic department’s annual booster event at Huber’s Orchard & Winery. “It’s scary. I think players should get paid. But something’s going to have to be done in the next 12 to 24 months, or universities might not be able to handle this. College football won’t exist the way we’re going right now.”
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The “Protect College Sports Act of 2026” contains provisions to address that, including a hard salary cap and additional enforcement mechanisms. It would also seek to put rules in place, such as a one-time transfer rule and restrictions on former professional athletes playing in college, along with an antitrust exemption to avoid having the rules contested in court.
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
An attendee pumps his fist in the air as U.S. President Donald Trump and Curt Cignetti, head football coach at Indiana University, arrive to an event with the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
An attendee pumps his fist in the air as U.S. President Donald Trump and Curt Cignetti, head football coach at Indiana University, arrive to an event with the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump receives a football from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
Wide receiver Charlie Becker holds a helmet while speaking as U.S. President Donald Trump hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as the president hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as the president hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump walks after speaking, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump receives a ball from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as the president hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump receives a jersey from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as the president hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures with head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a football received from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
Wide receiver Charlie Becker speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump hosts an event for the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump receives a team jersey from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
Head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump hosts an event for the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
Head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump hosts an event for the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump receives a team T-shirt from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump receives a jersey from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as the president hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
Defensive back Jamari Sharpe gestures during an event for the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University, hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with defensive back Jamari Sharpe, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University, at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump reacts with head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as the president hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrives with his sons to attend an event for the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House, hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper REFILE – ADDS “TO ATTEND AN EVENT FOR”.
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. Vice President JD Vance gestures as President Donald Trump hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Evelyn Hockstein, REUTERS)
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Indiana football celebrates national championship visiting President Donald Trump, White House
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to host the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Kylie Cooper, REUTERS)
The Big Ten recently held its annual spring meetings, where university presidents, athletic directors and coaches gathered to discuss many of those same topics. Cignetti declined to offer any insight into what rules or changes, if any, he advocated for.
“We all have our opinions, and, you know, what’s the point?” Cignetti said.. “I just hope we get things fixed.”
That’s been Cignetti’s stance since arriving in Bloomington. He’s been publicly supportive of Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti’s approach and the conference’s focus on expanding the CFP to 24 teams. He reiterated that sentiment on Wednesday in Borden.
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“You know, again, you know, I know what our people support, and I support what our people support,” Cignetti said. “For me to comment on this or that, you know, I got no control over this process.”
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana coach Curt Cignetti warns ‘college football won’t exist’ as constructed