Portland-Based Collegiate Baseball Team Considering Legal Action Against Pixar Animation Studios
Color theory is a thing, people!
A Portland baseball team is considering pursuing legal action against Pixar Animation Studios based on their selection of a mascot and team name in their new series, Win or Lose.
What’s Happening:
- A collegiate wood bat baseball team based out of Portland, the Portland Pickles, is considering legal action against Pixar Animation Studios due to their new series, Win or Lose.
- In the series, we follow a softball team, dubbed the Pickles, in eight different episodes through the eyes of eight different characters.
- This has the Portland team mascot miffed, and has taken to social media to rally some attention on the matter.
- The post states “We regret to inform you that Dillon T. Pickle is absolutely devastated by the release of this series. He looked up to Disney, believed in the magic, and truly thought they stood for joy. But not a call, not an email, not even a half-hearted fax. No DM, no Snap, no carrier pigeon with a tiny scroll asking for permission to use our marks, or collaborate. Nothing! Now, he sits in silence, questioning everything - how could he be so heartbreakingly betrayed? A single, very salty, pickle-shaped tear is rolling down his face. He hopes that somehow, the magic can be restored.“
- While this could be seen as humorous or fun little jabs at Pixar and parent company, Disney, it’s Portland team owner Alan Miller who told The Oregonian that they were genuinely considering legal action, saying: “Funny how nobody thought to give us a ring before borrowing our trademarks. The organization is now weighing all options, including the ones we shouldn’t have to."
- The Oregonian also implies that attention garnered from a documentary featuring the Portland team that debuted earlier this month, and celebrated the team’s West Coast League championship last summer, had an influence on the new animated series, saying “Did the attention generated from Dillon T. Pickle’s antics inspire the fictional middle school Pickles — and their logo and uniforms — which resemble those affiliated with the Portland Pickles?"
- As a reminder, most animated series are not made in a matter of weeks, and Win or Lose is a perfect example, having been in production for almost five years ahead of its multiple-times delayed debut.
- Fans will note that Win or Lose was announced back in 2020, with art released shortly thereafter of Coach Dan (voiced by SNL Alum Will Forte) and the team sporting the logo in question.
- Only now, after the series has debuted nearly five years later, is this a matter of concern for the Portland Pickles.
- Even with the art and what appears in this series, this author doesn’t know what series the Portland Pickles has been watching, considering the differences in the logo. Take a look at our comparison below.
- Both feature a similar “P," in a traditional baseball style font, as well as a cartoon pickle. Though, the Portland Pickles logo screams VeggieTales. Considering the team was founded in 2015 and that animated series debuted in 1993, maybe we’re watching the wrong court threats play out.
- Pixar’s Win or Lose reveals what it actually feels like to be in the shoes of eight different characters in the week leading up to the big game—the insecure kids, their helicopter parents, even a lovesick umpire—with incredibly funny, very emotional and uniquely animated perspectives. Featuring the voice of Will Forte as the coach, Win or Lose is directed, written and executive produced by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, and produced by David Lally.
- The all-new original series features the intertwined stories of different characters as they each prepare for their big championship softball game. Eight episodes, each following a new character, debuted on Disney+ last week on Feb. 19th, and will debut new episodes each Wednesday.
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