Draft:Cesare DeLuca

Cesare P. "Chaz" DeLuca (born August 25, 1999) is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is currently working as a Sports Agent and Legal Extern at the Ballengee Group in Arizona.

Early life and playing career


DeLuca was born in Chandler, Arizona and attended Hamilton High School, where he was part of the baseball team that won the 6A State Championships in 2016 and 2017. He began his college career at Gateway Community College, where he earned an Associate of Arts degree in 2019 and served as the team captain for the baseball team.

DeLuca then transferred to Niagara University, graduating in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management. At Niagara, he was a Division I athlete and captain of the varsity baseball team. He also played collegiate summer baseball for the Kokomo Jackrabbits in the Northwoods League, showcasing his skills and leadership on the field.

Following his undergraduate studies, DeLuca enrolled at the University at Buffalo School of Law for a year before transferring to the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in June 2023. He is pursuing a Doctor of Law (JD) degree and a Master's degree in the Allan "Bud" Selig Sports Law and Business program, expected to graduate in December 2025.

Professional career
DeLuca began his professional career in April 2024 as a Sports Agent and Legal Extern at the Ballengee Group. He has also been an Associate Editor for the Arizona State Sports & Entertainment Law Journal since August 2023, focusing on sports law, editing, research, and writing.

DeLuca participated in the 2024 Diamond Dollars Case Competition as an Independent Analyst for the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), where he developed a metric for evaluating the strategic impact of foul balls.

Publications
DeLuca has contributed to the field of sports law with his publications:

"The NCAA Player Rights Initiative: Modernizing NCAA Athlete Representation".

"From Data to Deals: The Evolution of Sports Negotiations in the Age of AI".

"Expanding the Field: The Impact of MLB’s Antitrust Exemption on Future Cities and Cultures".

"Navigating NIL and Antitrust Concerns: The Perfect Game and Fanatics Deal".

"Navigating NIL: The Evolving Landscape of College Baseball and Its Broader Impacts".

Internships
DeLuca held several internships that honed his skills in media, communication, and sports management. As a Sports Broadcasting Intern at Niagara University from August 2020 to May 2021, he assisted with in-game entertainment, managing the camera, scoreboard operations, in-stadium music/sound effects, and ESPN broadcasts for multiple Division I sporting events. From August 2019 to May 2020, DeLuca served as a Social Media Intern for Niagara University Baseball, where he created digital content weekly to help increase the program's fanbase and recruitment interest.

Certifications and Awards
DeLuca holds several certifications, including Thomson Reuters Essential Legal Research, MLBPA General Certification Exam, and a Hootsuite Platform Certification (Social Marketing). He has been consistently recognized on the President’s List for his academic excellence and served as team captain of the baseball teams at both Gateway Community College and Niagara University.