Pixar Studios’ upcoming animated series Win or Lose hasn’t even premiered, and yet it’s already facing two major challenges—a copyright lawsuit and a heated public backlash.
The studio, known for emotional storytelling and box office magic, now finds itself in the middle of a legal storm brought by a real-world baseball team. At the same time, it’s catching heat for editing out a transgender character’s storyline. Both developments are raising eyebrows across the entertainment world.
Here’s what’s going on.
The Pixar Show: A Softball Saga With a Pixar Twist
Set to debut on Disney+ on February 19, Win or Lose is Pixar’s first original long-form series. It follows a middle school co-ed softball team—the “Peaks Valley Pickles”—as they prepare for their championship game. Each episode tells the story from a different character’s perspective, including players, coaches, and even an umpire.
The concept is uniquely Pixar—emotionally layered and character-driven—but controversy is now overshadowing its release.
Lawsuit Filed Over Pickle Mascot and Branding
The real-life Portland Pickles, a collegiate summer league baseball team based in Oregon, are suing Disney and Pixar for trademark infringement. According to the lawsuit, the animated team in Win or Lose bears a strong resemblance to the Portland Pickles, including a similar name, branding, and even a green pickle mascot.
The Portland Pickles, who have built a strong regional identity since their founding in 2016, claim Disney’s version creates “market confusion” and unfairly borrows from their established brand.
The team is asking for punitive damages and a court order preventing Disney from using similar names or likenesses moving forward.
This legal challenge comes at a critical time, just as marketing and promotions for the new series ramp up.
LGBTQ+ Representation Quietly Scaled Back
In addition to legal woes, Win or Lose has also been criticized for its decision to scale back LGBTQ+ representation. A transgender character’s storyline was originally planned for a later episode, but reports indicate that Pixar removed specific dialogue referencing gender identity.
A spokesperson for Disney told The Hollywood Reporter that the edits were made to give parents “control over how and when to introduce certain conversations to children.”
While the character still appears in the show, the removal of the gender-related lines has disappointed advocates and fans hoping for more open representation in children’s media.
This isn’t the first time Disney or Pixar has faced similar criticism. Past films like Lightyear and Turning Red sparked debate over the inclusion—and removal—of LGBTQ+ characters and moments.
What This Could Mean for Disney Pixar Studios’ Win or Lose
Both the lawsuit and the creative edits raise serious questions about the future of Win or Lose. If the court rules in favor of the Portland Pickles, Disney could be forced to make changes to the show’s branding, merchandise, or promotional material. Legal delays could also impact planned spin-offs or licensing deals.
At the same time, the backlash over the censored storyline may affect how audiences and critics receive the series, especially among fans who value authentic representation.
Despite its innovative format and anticipated debut, Win or Lose now carries unexpected baggage. Whether Pixar can overcome these hurdles—or if they’ll strike out—remains to be seen.
