Inspiring the Next Generation: Mission 89 Leads Powerful Discussion on Sports Trafficking at CSU East Bay

On Thursday, March 28th, Mission 89 collaborated with Dr. Matthew Atencio and the Center for Sport and Social Justice at California State University, East Bay, to conduct an informative lecture focused on the issue of sports trafficking.

Amina Adji, the Programs Manager, and Aerin McQuillen, a Research Intern at Mission 89, presented important insights from the Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking to Dr. Atencio’s Social Justice in Kinesiology class. The conversations illuminated the frequently neglected issue of human trafficking in sports, highlighting the individuals who fall victim to exploitation within this global industry.

Exposing a Hidden Crisis

Amina and Aerin’s presentation illuminated the issue of sports trafficking—an ever-present yet largely unseen challenge. Their aim was to educate and empower students to take action against this form of exploitation.

The session began with a clear and comprehensive definition of sports trafficking, as outlined in the Global Thematic Report. Sports trafficking takes place when individuals are recruited, transported, and exploited through deception, coercion, or abuse within and around the sports industry.

The facilitators pinpointed several systemic issues that allow sports trafficking to continue:

Lack of oversight and regulation – Weak governance in global sports provides traffickers with opportunities to prey on vulnerable athletes.
Ineffective border policies and poor victim detection – Many victims slip through the cracks due to insufficient protections.
Gaps in research and media coverage – This underreported issue limits public awareness and hinders policy initiatives.
Expansion of women’s sports** – While this growth is positive, it has also heightened the risk of exploitation for female athletes.

Real-World Cases: A Stark Reality

The presenters illustrated these issues with real-life cases, some directly relevant to CSU East Bay students:

a. Track & Field – Athletes coerced into switching national allegiances under false pretences.

b. Baseball (Cuba & U.S.) – Smuggling syndicates facilitating illegal migration for financial gain.

c. Soccer (Nigeria & South Africa) – Fake academies promising European contracts but ultimately abandoning young players.

d. Basketball (U.S.) – Fraudulent schools exploiting student visas for profit.

e. Mega-Sporting Events (Bay Area) – Large-scale events like the FIFA World Cup and Super Bowl linked to increased human trafficking activity.

Connecting to College Athletics

The discussion extended beyond traditional sports trafficking to examine another pressing social justice issue: exploitation in college athletics. While not classified as trafficking, the treatment of college athletes in the U.S. raises ethical concerns. Many student-athletes generate billions in revenue for universities and sports organizations, yet receive little financial benefit. This reality has sparked crucial debates about labor rights in college sports.

Mission 89’s Fight Against Sports Trafficking

Amina and Aerin also highlighted Mission 89’s ongoing efforts to combat sports trafficking through research, education, and advocacy. Key initiatives include:

a. Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) – Empowering students to raise awareness and advocate against trafficking.

b. Policy and Legal Reforms – Strengthening international regulations to better protect athletes from exploitation.

In addition to raising awareness about an issue that often goes unnoticed, it is delightful to foresee an involvement from more students in advocacy matters and research, and to consider the rise of new partnerships between universities and international organizations to extend the reach of the latter. Combating human trafficking is a duty we all share.

This event was a powerful reminder that sports trafficking is a global issue requiring urgent attention from all stakeholders. Amina and Aerin urged attendees to support initiatives like Mission 89, advocate for stronger policies, and spread awareness to help eradicate exploitation in sports.

As conversations around athlete rights continue to evolve, policymakers, sports organizations, and the public must recognize their collective responsibility in protecting vulnerable individuals from trafficking. The fight against sports trafficking is not just about safeguarding athletes—it is about ensuring integrity, fairness, and human dignity in the global sports landscape.

Mission 89 extends its deepest gratitude to Dr. Atencio and the incredible student leaders at CSU East Bay for engaging in this critical dialogue and taking a stand for a more just and ethical sporting world.