Sports apparel maker Reebok is illegally marketing New York Jets Tim Tebow jerseys, rival clothing manufacturer Nike claimed in a suit Wednesday.
Nike claims Reebok International Ltd. took advantage of a lapse in the rights to such apparel by jumping into the market with a Jets jersey bearing the signal-caller's name and number after his March 21 trade from the Denver Broncos to New York.
In the suit, filed in U.S. District Court in New York, Nike claims Reebok's license to market NFL products lapsed March 1, while its own deal doesn't begin until April, The Wall Street Journal reported.
"Reebok has sought to take advantage of this unique, short-lived opportunity by supplying, without authorization or license, Tebow identified New York Jets apparel to retailers in New York and elsewhere around the country," the lawsuit asserts.
Reebok "was notified of the lawsuit only earlier today and had no prior knowledge of any dispute," the company said in a statement.
Tebow, whose high-profile trade the Jets garnered tremendous publicity, had the second highest-selling jersey in the NFL's online store last season, the Journal reported.
