Todd Martinez
Todd Martinez, also known by the nickname Cash Money, is an American former professional paintball player, coach and paintball industry businessman. His playing career included Avalanche, Chicago Aftershock, San Diego Dynasty and the Ironmen. He subsequently became a professional coach, leading teams including the Los Angeles Ironmen, Houston Heat and Chicago Aftershock.[1][2]
Martinez coached the Ironmen to victory at the 2020 National Xball League (NXL) Las Vegas Open and Houston Heat to the 2021 NXL Mid-Atlantic Major championship.[3][4]
He is also associated with the paintball apparel businesses Raza and Wepnz, and has worked as a commentator for GoSports.[5]
Playing career
[edit]Early career
[edit]Martinez developed his playing career in Southern California during the growth of professional tournament paintball in the 1990s.
His early team associations included IronKids, the Ironmen and Avalanche. In a retrospective published by SC Village in 2023, the facility identified Martinez as a former member of all three organisations.[1]
Avalanche
[edit]By 2001, Martinez was competing professionally with Avalanche.
Contemporary National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) rosters identified him alongside Chris LaSoya, Rocky Cagnoni, Steve Rabackoff, Travis Lemanski and Ed Poorman.[6]
He remained on Avalanche's published professional roster in March 2002.[7]
During the 2001 NPPL Chicago Open, Martinez competed in Avalanche's professional matches, including a game against Dynasty documented by WARPIG.[8]
Chicago Aftershock
[edit]In August 2002, Martinez left Avalanche to join Chicago Aftershock.
Contemporary coverage of the NPPL Atlantic City Open identified his transfer, alongside the return of Markus Nielsen to the Aftershock roster.[9]
Martinez subsequently participated in tournaments with Aftershock, including the 2002 Aruba Open.[10]
San Diego Dynasty
[edit]Martinez subsequently joined San Diego Dynasty, competing during the team's championship-winning period in the 2000s.
At the 2004 NPPL Huntington Beach Open, contemporary WARPIG reporting identified Martinez as having recently returned to Dynasty.
The team won the professional seven-player championship, defeating Avalanche in the final.[11]
Martinez remained associated with Dynasty during the following seasons.
He was listed on Dynasty's official roster for the 2006 Smart Parts Paintball World Championships, held in May 2006. The roster identified him as wearing jersey number 0.[12]
In 2008, he appeared in a player interview conducted by Matty Marshall for Splat Magazine and subsequently republished by Social Paintball.[13]
He was also selected for the South Conference squad at the 2008 NPPL All-Star event, alongside Dynasty teammates Alex Fraige and Ryan Greenspan.[14]
Coaching career
[edit]Los Angeles Ironmen
[edit]After stepping away from regular professional competition, Martinez became involved in coaching and player development.
He was appointed head coach of the Los Angeles Ironmen and held the position during the 2017 NXL season.
DYE Paintball's official 2017 roster listed Martinez as head coach, with players including Mike Paxson, Bobby Aviles, Scott Kemp and Greg Siewers.[15]
Martinez continued coaching the Ironmen during subsequent seasons, overseeing roster changes and recruitment.
At the 2020 NXL Las Vegas Open, the Ironmen defeated Moscow Red Legion 7-5 in the professional final.
The victory was the Ironmen's first major professional tournament championship since 2009.[3][16]
Following the tournament, Martinez appeared in an extended interview with Matty Marshall discussing the team's rebuilding programme and championship victory.
He also presented an episode of the GoSports Tactics programme analysing the final against Red Legion.[5][17]
Houston Heat
[edit]Martinez subsequently became head coach of Houston Heat.
At the 2021 NXL Mid-Atlantic Major, held in Royersford, Pennsylvania, Heat defeated Edmonton Impact 5-3 in the professional final.
The victory followed the team's 11th-place finish at the opening event of the 2021 season.
Contemporary NXL reporting credited Martinez's coaching and the team's improved tactical organisation during the tournament.[4]
Following the victory, Martinez appeared in an interview with Matty Marshall discussing the team's performance, the recruitment of Tyler Harmon and the return of Konstantin Fedorov.[18]
Chicago Aftershock
[edit]In late 2023, Chicago Aftershock announced Martinez as head coach for its return to professional NXL competition in 2024.
The revived organisation was owned by Todd Adamson, who had previously played alongside Martinez during their earlier Aftershock careers.
The coaching appointment was announced by DYE Paintball, the team's equipment sponsor.[19]
Martinez was responsible for leading the professional roster as Aftershock returned to the NXL circuit.
The organisation recruited experienced professional players alongside younger competitors, with the objective of establishing a competitive team under the historic Aftershock name.
Paintball business and media
[edit]Raza and Wepnz
[edit]Martinez has been associated with paintball apparel and equipment businesses, including Raza and Wepnz.
His work has included custom team uniforms and other paintball clothing.
A 2020 interview published by Major League Paintball PLUS identified Martinez as the owner of Wepnz.[5]
Broadcasting and coaching clinics
[edit]Martinez has worked as a commentator and analyst for GoSports, contributing to professional paintball coverage.
In 2023, SC Village announced Martinez as one of its field professionals and coaches.
The arrangement involved coaching sessions, clinics and events at the SC Arenas tournament facility in Southern California.
Martinez also appeared on the SC Village podcast, discussing his professional playing career and coaching experience.[1]
Recognition
[edit]Martinez has been recognised within professional paintball for his achievements as both a player and coach.
In 2024, Iconic Paintball named him as a member of the judging panel for the 2025 Iconic Paintball Hall of Icons induction class.
The panel included professional players and industry figures responsible for evaluating nominees from different eras of competitive paintball.[20]
Selected achievements
[edit]| Year | Achievement | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | NPPL Huntington Beach Open, professional champions | San Diego Dynasty | Player |
| 2020 | NXL Las Vegas Open, professional champions | Los Angeles Ironmen | Head coach |
| 2021 | NXL Mid-Atlantic Major, professional champions | Houston Heat | Head coach |
This table lists selected documented achievements rather than a complete playing and coaching record.
See also
[edit]- Avalanche (paintball team)
- Chicago Aftershock
- San Diego Dynasty
- Los Angeles Ironmen
- Houston Heat
- Todd Adamson
- National Xball League
- Iconic Paintball Hall of Icons
References
[edit]- SC Village, "Todd Martinez Joins SC Village Podcast". Official announcement documenting Martinez's early teams and coaching activities.
- DYE Paintball, "Chicago Aftershock Signs Todd Martinez as Head Coach". Official 2024 coaching announcement.
- PBLeagues, "NXL Las Vegas Open 2020: Scores". Official results confirming the Ironmen's 7-5 final victory.
- National Xball League, Quinn Nadu, "2021 NXL Mid-Atlantic Major Event Recap", 3 July 2021. Official report documenting Houston Heat's championship under Martinez.
- Major League Paintball PLUS, "Interview - Todd Martinez", 2020. Interview documenting his coaching career, broadcasting and ownership of Wepnz.
- WARPIG, "NPPL 2001 Professional Rosters". Contemporary Avalanche roster.
- WARPIG, "NPPL 2002 Professional Rosters". Contemporary roster identifying Martinez with Avalanche.
- WARPIG, "NPPL Chicago Open 2001". Contemporary coverage of Avalanche's professional matches.
- WARPIG, "NPPL Atlantic City Open 2002". Contemporary report documenting Martinez's transfer from Avalanche to Aftershock.
- WARPIG, "Aruba Open 2002". Contemporary reporting identifying Martinez with Aftershock.
- WARPIG, "NPPL Huntington Beach 2004". Contemporary coverage documenting Martinez's return to Dynasty and the team's professional victory.
- WARPIG, "Smart Parts Paintball World Championships 2006 Team Rosters". Official Dynasty roster identifying Martinez as number 0.
- Social Paintball, "Todd Martinez Interview: PROfiles with Matty Marshall", 5 November 2011. Reproduction of the original 2008 Splat Magazine interview.
- PBHub, "NPPL Allstars 2008", 9 May 2008. Contemporary announcement of the NPPL All-Star rosters.
- DYE Paintball, "Ironmen 2017 Roster". Official announcement identifying Martinez as head coach.
- Infamous Paintball, "Field Notes: NXL Las Vegas Open 2020", 13 March 2020. Contemporary discussion of the Ironmen's championship and Martinez's coaching.
- Major League Paintball PLUS, "Tactics - Episode 4: Todd Martinez", 2020. Tactical analysis of the Ironmen's victory over Red Legion.
- Major League Paintball PLUS, "Interview - Todd Martinez", 2021. Discussion of Houston Heat's Mid-Atlantic Major victory.
- DYE Paintball, "Chicago Aftershock Signs Todd Martinez as Head Coach". Official announcement of his appointment.
- Iconic Paintball, "The 2025 Class of the Hall of Icons Nominees Announced", 5 November 2024. Published judging panel identifying Martinez.