Infamous

Infamous, also known as Los Angeles Infamous and Detroit Infamous, is an American professional paintball team established in 2004 by former members of Miami Effect, including Chris LaSoya and Travis Lemanski. The team became a leading competitor in the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL), Paintball Sports Promotions (PSP) and National Xball League (NXL). [1][2]

Infamous won its first two NPPL Super 7 tournaments in 2004 and subsequently won major professional X-Ball events, including the 2012 PSP Chicago Open and consecutive PSP Dallas Opens in 2014 and 2015. [1][2][4][6][7]

The organisation is also associated with the Infamous Paintball equipment brand and has competed in classic 10-man tournaments organised by the International Classic Paintball League (ICPL). [9][10][13]

History

Formation and Miami Effect (2004)

Infamous was established in 2004 following the departure of several professional players from Miami Effect, one of the original franchises of the National Xball League.

The departing players included Chris LaSoya, Travis Lemanski, Andy Kopcok, Jon Richardson, Rusty Glaze and Steve Rabackoff. Several had previously competed together for Avalanche. [1][3]

The players entered the NPPL Super 7 professional division under the newly established Infamous name, rather than continuing to use the Miami Effect identity.

The team's first appearance came at the 2004 NPPL Tampa Open, held at Raymond James Stadium in Florida.

Infamous reached the professional final against San Diego Dynasty, which had dominated the preceding NPPL season.

Infamous defeated Dynasty in two consecutive final games, including a 97–9 victory in the opening match, to win the tournament. [1]

The victory was particularly significant because it came during the team's first event under the Infamous name.

Early NPPL success (2004–2006)

Infamous continued its successful debut season at the 2004 NPPL Denver Open in July.

The team again reached the professional final, defeating Sacramento XSV to secure its second consecutive NPPL Super 7 tournament victory. Dynasty finished third and Avalanche fourth. [2]

The victories ended Dynasty's uninterrupted run of NPPL Super 7 tournament wins.

By 2005, the team was competing under the Los Angeles Infamous name.

Infamous reached the professional semi-finals at the 2005 NPPL Tampa Open, finishing fourth behind Dynasty, XSV and Oakland Empire. [5]

The team remained a regular professional competitor during the following seasons, participating in both NPPL seven-player and PSP X-Ball tournaments.

Professional X-Ball and roster changes (2007–2011)

Infamous continued competing in American professional paintball following the introduction and expansion of PSP X-Ball.

The organisation underwent several roster changes while retaining Travis Lemanski as a central figure in its management and playing programme.

By the early 2010s, Infamous had recruited players including Nicky Cuba, Damian Ryan, Kevin Rudulph and other established professionals.

The team competed in the PSP and NPPL, maintaining its professional status during a period of significant changes to the American tournament structure. [4]

Chicago championships (2012)

Following the 2011 season, Infamous underwent a major roster restructuring.

Lemanski reorganised the team's programme around Chicago, Illinois, although it continued to compete under the Los Angeles Infamous name. [4]

During the 2012 season, Infamous won the professional division at the NPPL Chicago Open.

The team subsequently won the PSP Chicago Open, defeating Moscow Red Legion in the professional final. [4][5]

The PSP victory was part of a strong season in which Infamous finished third in the overall professional standings with 462.8 ranking points, behind Houston Heat and Tampa Bay Damage. [5]

Infamous also finished fourth in the 2012 NPPL professional season standings. [15]

Consecutive Dallas victories (2014–2015)

Infamous returned to major championship success at the 2014 PSP Dallas Open.

The team defeated Omaha Vicious 7–3 in the professional final. Its roster included Damian Ryan, Zack Wake and Zack Patient. [6]

Infamous successfully defended its Dallas title in March 2015.

The final against Houston Heat was closely contested, with Infamous winning 5–4. Alex Goldman, Damian Ryan, Kevin Rudulph, Brad McCurley and Zack Wake were among the players associated with the team during this period. [7]

The consecutive Dallas victories represented an important period of competitive success for the organisation.

NXL competition (2015–2018)

Following the establishment of the reorganised National Xball League in 2015, Infamous continued competing in the professional X-Ball division.

The team finished second in the overall 2016 NXL professional season standings, behind Edmonton Impact. [8]

During the 2016 season, the organisation was associated with Empire Paintball before announcing a new sponsorship agreement with Valken Sports for 2017.

Travis Lemanski was identified as the team's owner and coach in the sponsorship announcement. [8]

Infamous remained active in NXL professional competition throughout the following seasons.

Return to classic 10-man competition (2019–2023)

In 2019, Infamous entered the newly established International Classic Paintball League.

The team assembled a 10-man roster combining current professional players with former Infamous members.

Its 2019 Windy City Classic roster included Travis Lemanski, Chris LaSoya, Cody Mickowski, Brett Messer, Ryan Rodarte, Sean Wyatt and other players, including competitors from outside the regular Infamous professional roster. [9]

The team's return to classic-format competition brought together players from different periods of its history.

In January 2020, Infamous entered the ICPL Sunshine Classic with a roster including Lemanski, LaSoya, Harrison Frye, Archie Montemayor, Kevin Rudulph and Ryan Brand. [10]

Infamous won the professional division at the 2020 Sunshine Classic.

In 2021, the team won the ICPL Old Bay Classic in Maryland, completing the tournament unbeaten. Its roster included LaSoya, Lemanski, Frye, Rudulph, Cody Mickowski and Drew Templeton. [11]

Infamous subsequently completed an undefeated championship campaign across the 2021 ICPL events and also won the Iron City Classic. [12]

The team continued competing in classic paintball, winning the 2023 Pro DNA Open in Tennessee ahead of the All Americans and Ground Zero. [13]

Recent professional competition (2024–2026)

Infamous continued competing in professional X-Ball during the 2020s.

The organisation finished 13th in the 2025 NXL professional season standings, competing under the Infamous name. [14]

In 2026, the professional team competed under the Detroit Infamous name.

The team finished sixth at the Tampa Bay Open, 15th at the Mid-Atlantic Open, 13th at the Midwest Open and 11th at the Lone Star Open.

Following the first four events of 2026, Detroit Infamous occupied tenth place in the NXL professional standings with 375 ranking points. [16]

The 2026 professional roster included established Infamous players such as Kevin Rudulph, Sam Silberg, Trevor Resar and Zack Patient. [17]

Notable players and personnel

Individuals associated with significant periods of Infamous history include:

Travis Lemanski – Founding player, team owner and coach.
Chris LaSoya – Founding member and longstanding professional player.
Rusty Glaze – Member of the original Infamous organisation.
Steve Rabackoff – Early professional player who previously competed for Avalanche and Miami Effect.
Nicky Cuba – Professional player during the team's PSP competition.
Damian Ryan – Member of the 2012 and 2014 championship rosters.
Kevin Rudulph – Longstanding professional player.
Zack Wake – Member of the 2014 and 2015 championship rosters.
Alex Goldman – Member of the 2015 Dallas championship roster.
Zack Patient – Professional player during the 2010s and 2020s.
Cody Mickowski – Professional player and member of the classic 10-man roster.
Harrison Frye – Professional player and member of the ICPL championship rosters.
Trevor Resar – Member of the team's later professional roster.

[3][4][6][7][9][11][17]

Selected tournament achievements

Year	Competition	Division	Result
2004	NPPL Tampa Open	Professional 7-man	Champions [1]
2004	NPPL Denver Open	Professional 7-man	Champions [2]
2005	NPPL Tampa Open	Professional 7-man	4th place [5]
2012	NPPL Chicago Open	Professional	Champions [4]
2012	PSP Chicago Open	Professional X-Ball	Champions [5]
2012	PSP Professional Series	Professional X-Ball	3rd overall [5]
2014	PSP Dallas Open	Professional X-Ball	Champions [6]
2015	PSP Dallas Open	Professional X-Ball	Champions [7]
2016	NXL Professional Series	Professional X-Ball	2nd overall [8]
2020	ICPL Sunshine Classic	Professional 10-man	Champions [11]
2021	ICPL Old Bay Classic	Professional 10-man	Champions [11]
2021	ICPL Season	Professional 10-man	Champions [12]
2023	Pro DNA Open	10-man	Champions [13]

Equipment and commercial activities

Infamous has maintained relationships with several major paintball equipment manufacturers.

In January 2017, the team announced a sponsorship agreement with Valken Sports, following its second-place finish in the 2016 NXL professional season. [8]

The organisation also developed its own equipment and apparel business under the Infamous Paintball name.

The brand markets products developed with input from professional players, including protective equipment, clothing, marker accessories and compressed-air equipment.

In 2020, Infamous introduced the Skeleton Air compressed-air system, including its Haymaker regulator. [18]

The company's Pro DNA product range includes protective pads, playing clothing, footwear and equipment bags.

Infamous has also supplied equipment to other professional teams, including San Diego Dynasty, through Pro DNA sponsorship agreements. [19]

Legacy

Infamous is notable for its formation during the division between the NPPL and the original NXL.

Its immediate success at the 2004 Tampa and Denver events demonstrated the competitiveness of experienced professional players entering the NPPL Super 7 under a newly formed organisation. [1][2]

The team's subsequent success in professional X-Ball, including major PSP victories in 2012, 2014 and 2015, established a competitive history extending beyond its original NPPL championship period.

Infamous has also contributed to the revival of classic tournament paintball through its participation in the ICPL and other traditional 10-man competitions.

Its equipment brand represents a further connection between professional tournament teams and the commercial development of paintball products.

References

External links