A group of football players at Northwestern University are attempting to organize and join a labor union. It’s the latest move in the complicated relationship between the NCAA and its athletes, some of whom believe they should be payed and protected as workers. Joe Nocera, columnist for our partner The New York Times, says these student athletes should be able to form a union. Former NCAA athlete Ibrahim Abdul-Matin agrees. Ibrahim is a former linebacker at the University of Rhode Island and an NCAA scholar-athlete.

Pay-for-Play: Should College Athletes Be Unionized?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Interview by Ibrahim Abdul-Matin KPFA Berkley, CA May, 2007

The Takeaway for July 6, 2010

Ibrahim Reporting on Important Knicks Trade (2010)

After hours of negotiating, NBA players and owners failed to come to an agreement over salary caps and team revenue. Those involved said the meetings were friendly, but players will remain on lockout until a settlement can be reached. While players have proposed a string of pay cuts to be enacted over the next few years, team owners say it is not enough to make the teams profitable. The Players Association and team owners will meet in two to three weeks to discuss this issue again.

Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, Takeaway Sports Contributor, speaks with us about the implications of the shutdown.

The Takeaway for July 1, 2011

NBA Players on Lockout After Failed Negotiations - The Takeaway - July 1, 2011

Should College Athletes Be Unionized? On The Takeaway - Feb 3, 2014

Rain falling in the Bangsar area of Kuala Lumpor, Malaysia. 

Rain in bangsar

Jean Feraca talks with New York City’s Environmental Policy Advisor about a compelling case for connecting Islam to Environmentalism. Guest: Ibrahim Abdul-Matin - Environmental policy advisor in the New York City Mayor’s Office; interfaith activist; and author of "Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet".

Ibrahim Abdul-matin