The Team

Michael Nicotera — Senior Partner, Director of Baseball Operations

Mike, an agent who is certified with the Major League Baseball Players Association, has been representing athletes for The Sparta Group since 1992. He graduated from Fordham University in 1991 with a BA in English and a minor in Economics. While at Fordham, Mike was a Rhodes Scholar nominee. He also was a letterman for the Fordham Rams football team.

Following graduation, Mike worked with a sports marketing firm out of Boston where he developed numerous contacts in the field of athletic endorsements and promotions. He came to The Sparta Group in 1992 and immediately began negotiating endorsement and promotional contracts on behalf of existing clients, as well as researching and recruiting new clients. In addition, he assisted in the preparation and negotiation of free agent and salary arbitration contracts.

In 1998, Mike became a partner in the firm. His responsibilities include the writing, preparation, and presentation of arbitration briefs. In addition, Mike has negotiated numerous free agent and multi-year contracts including over $85 million in contracts for Troy Glaus and over $77 million in contracts for Mike Cameron.

In 2009, Mike lectured on "Major League Baseball's Arbitration Process and the Use of Leverage in Negotiation" for the Sports and Entertainment Law Society at Duquesne University Law School. 

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Gene Casaleggio — Senior Partner, Director of Player Development

Gene, an agent who is certified with the Major League Baseball Players Association, has been representing athletes for The Sparta Group since 1990. He negotiates player contracts and prepares the statistical information for free agent players, arbitration eligible players, control players, and minor leaguers. In addition, Gene has handled numerous amateur negotiations with professional clubs and pursues all off-field endorsement opportunities for Sparta Group clients. In 1998, he became a partner in the firm.

A four-year letterman in baseball at Rutgers University, he was invited to 1990 Spring Training with the Chicago White Sox. In September 1997, Gene was inducted into the Bergen County Baseball Hall of Fame for his contribution to our national past time. He has also coached at the Division I level and at the youth amateur level.

Gene has lectured on the business of sport before the prestigious Bergen County 200 Club, the Rutgers Alumni Association, and Seton Hall University law classes. He interned at the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority at The Meadowlands Arena, where he organized press conferences and promoted sports events. Gene holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Media from Rutgers University, graduating in 1989.

"National Sports Agent Weighs In"    An article by Amythyst Marciano from examiner.com Albuquerque

Sohail Shahpar, Esquire — MLBPA Certified Agent, The Sparta Group

Sohail, an agent who is certified with the Major League Baseball Players Association, has been working with The Sparta Group since 2000. He graduated from Boston University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science of Communications. Sohail then went on to Hofstra University Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 2006. After passing both the New York and New Jersey Bar, Sohail became a member of the New York State and New Jersey Bar Associations in July 2006.

Sohail's responsibilities include statistical analysis for all player contract negotiations, player recruitment, and the negotiation of endorsement and marketing contracts. He also assists in the preparation and presentation of arbitration briefs.

While in college, Sohail interned in the marketing departments of the Boston Celtics and Madison Square Garden Network.

William R. Boyd — Chief Financial Officer

Bill has been in the financial field since 1983. Before joining The Sparta Group in 1990, he was an Investment Executive with PaineWebber, Inc., in Princeton, New Jersey, for six years. Prior to his employment at PaineWebber, he was with Merrill Lynch in Princeton, New Jersey, as a Registered Account Assistant. Bill is a graduate of Dickinson College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

While at Dickinson, Bill was a four year letter winner in Track and was Captain of the Men's Track and Field team during his junior and senior years. Bill was also a two year letter winner in Basketball.

Bill coordinates all monetary and financial aspects of The Sparta Group business. Having two decades of experience in working with professional athletes, coaches and sports media personalities, Bill is extremely familiar with the unique circumstances, goals and needs of these individuals and their families.

Colleen McDowell — Office Manager

Colleen joined The Sparta Group in May 2000 as the company's Office Manager. As the Office Manager, Colleen's responsibilities include the research, development, and implementation of business systems essential in the daily operation of The Sparta Group. These functions include the oversight of computer software and hardware, telecommunication systems, and all office equipment and supplies.

Colleen also assists the Chief Financial Officer in the preparation of financial presentations and the daily monitoring of each client's personal financial information. In addition, she coordinates clients' clothing and equipment orders, arranges colleague and client travel, and works individually with clients on special projects.

Colleen earned an undergraduate degree from Ithaca College and has a Masters in Higher Education Administration from Boston College. Following graduation, Colleen managed a staffing firm in North Jersey before joining The Sparta Group.