Putting Abilities behind a payable upgrade such as season pass is pay to win.

Nah I get what you're saying. I just mean... if you have to win to progress the season pass, then casual players have almost no chance to get it done vs. hardcore players, who will not only get it done faster but also make it even harder for casual players to win or even enjoy themselves losing. 

I get what you're saying about the pay to win thing. That's why I'd rather eliminate the perception completely and just have cosmetics in the season pass rather than things that can affect the outcome of games.