Disney in a Pickle: Portland Baseball Team Sues Over Pixar’s Win or Lose

Disney’s in a pickle over a Pixar animated series on Disney Plus—and one real-life baseball team isn’t laughing.

On May 10, 2025, Newsweek reported that the Portland Pickles, a collegiate summer-league baseball team based in Portland, Oregon, filed a federal lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company.

The suit, lodged in the U.S. District Court in Oregon on May 7, centers around trademark infringement tied to Disney’s animated series Win or Lose, which premiered on Disney+ in February 2025.

Rose City Baseball LLC, which owns and operates the Portland Pickles, alleges that Disney’s use of the name “Pickles”—specifically the fictional “Peaks Valley Pickles” team featured in the show—threatens to dilute and devalue the real-world team’s brand identity, which has been cultivated over more than a decade.

What Is Win or Lose?

Win or Lose is Pixar’s first original long-form animated series. Each episode follows a different member of the fictional Peaks Valley Pickles, a co-ed middle school softball team, as they prepare for the big championship game. It’s a blend of sports comedy and heartfelt storytelling that’s earned praise for its unique structure and emotional depth.

But for the Portland Pickles, the show hits a little too close to home. They argue that the team name, mascot, and merchandise are so similar to their own brand that it’s not just a coincidence—it’s an infringement.

This Isn’t the First Controversy for Win or Lose

Before the trademark dispute, Win or Lose was already stirring up headlines. In 2024, Pixar reportedly removed a trans-inclusive storyline during development, sparking backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates and industry insiders.

According to coverage at the time, the decision came after internal discussions about international marketability and potential pushback from conservative stakeholders. While the details of the cut content were never publicly confirmed, reports suggested it involved a nonbinary character who was ultimately scrapped before the show’s final release.

Critics accused Disney of playing it safe and failing to back up its public commitments to inclusion, reigniting the long-running debate over corporate Pride optics versus action.

Details of the Allegations

The lawsuit spells out three major complaints:

• Unauthorized Use of the “Pickles” Name: The fictional Peaks Valley Pickles feature a grinning green pickle mascot swinging a bat—eerily similar to the Portland Pickles’ own beloved mascot, Dillon T. Pickle.

• Merchandise Infringement: T-shirts and other merch featuring Disney’s version of the Pickles are already being sold online. The Pickles argue this creates real confusion among fans and undercuts their merchandising rights.

• Intentional Misappropriation: The lawsuit frames this as a “David vs. Goliath” moment, accusing Disney of using its enormous reach to steamroll a decade of community-built brand equity.

Legal Demands and Public Statements

The Portland Pickles want a permanent ban on Disney’s use of the “Pickles” name in Win or Lose, plus damages and a halt to all related merchandise sales.

In a defiant public statement, the team said:

“Fueled by incredible support from our fans and community members from all walks of life, we felt we had no choice but to protect our rights… We may not have limitless resources, but we have something equally powerful: an unwavering belief in defending what we’ve created.”

As of May 8, 2025, Disney had yet to publicly respond.

Disney’s Legal History with Trademarks

This isn’t Disney’s first rodeo when it comes to intellectual property disputes:

• In 2016, they forced a Florida daycare to paint over Mickey Mouse murals. (The Guardian)

• In 1989, they settled with the creators of The Great Mouse Detective over a concept dispute. (Los Angeles Times)

• In 2021, they apologized after being accused of using Maori cultural elements in Moana merchandise without permission. (BBC)

Disney is known for fiercely guarding its own IP, but it doesn’t always win when the tables are turned.

Sports Meets Streaming: A Trademark Collision Course

This case is part of a broader trend where sports teams and media brands butt heads over names, mascots, and logos:

• In 2018, the Cleveland Browns sued a brewery over its use of the “Brownie the Elf” mascot. (ESPN)

• In 2023, USC filed a trademark claim against a clothing brand for misusing its Trojan mascot. (Sports Illustrated)

U.S. trademark law centers on the “likelihood of confusion”—and the Pickles argue Disney’s cartoon team causes just that.

Disney might try to argue that “Pickles” is a generic term or that Win or Lose is in a completely different lane. But with Disney actively monetizing its fictional team, that could be a tough sell.

What’s at Stake

For the Portland Pickles:

• Winning could solidify their brand, boost their profile, and make them a national name.

• But legal fights are expensive, and Disney has deep pockets.

For Disney:

• Losing could mean pulling merch, redesigning content, and taking a PR hit.

• The case could set a precedent that makes it harder for major studios to skate by with close-call branding.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about pickles. It’s about what happens when local culture collides with global entertainment. The Portland Pickles are trying to hold onto their identity in a media landscape where even your neighborhood team can find itself up against a multinational juggernaut.

No word yet if this one ends with a handshake—or a courtroom showdown.

Sources:

• Newsweek, “Portland Pickles Baseball Team Sues Disney Over Trademark Dispute,” May 10, 2025

• OregonLive, “Portland Pickles Sue Disney Over Use of ‘Pickles’ in Disney+ Series,” May 8, 2025

• UpCounsel, “Trademark Law and Disney: Enforcement and Infringement,” September 5, 2024

• The Guardian, “Disney Demands Daycare Remove Mickey Murals,” October 2016

• Los Angeles Times, “Disney Settles Animation Concept Dispute,” July 1989

• BBC, “Disney Apologizes for Moana Merchandise,” March 2021

• ESPN, “Cleveland Browns Sue Brewery Over Mascot,” July 2018

• Sports Illustrated, “USC Files Trademark Claim Over Trojan Branding,” October 2023