Nike Sues Reebok for Selling NYJ Tebow Jerseys

[Chiefnj2]

Nike (NKE) claimed in a lawsuit in U.S. District Court that Reebok International has used Tebow's name on Jets-related apparel without permission since it was announced last week that Tebow was traded from the Denver Broncos to New York.

The Tebow trade occurred just before Nike replaces Reebok as the official supplier of NFL team uniforms for the 2012 season.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, claims Reebok misappropriated publicity rights, interfered with business relationships and unjustly enriched itself because it failed to get Tebow's permission before launching the products.

Reebok, based in Canton, Mass., did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment. The lawsuit said Reebok did not respond to demands to cease Tebow apparel sales after a Tebow representative sent a letter to the company Friday.

Reebok is a subsidiary of Adidas (ADDDF).

According to the lawsuit, new Nike-supplied uniforms for all 32 NFL teams will be unveiled next week in New York City, kicking off a five-year deal for Nike to be the league's exclusive provider of on-field apparel, including game uniforms and sideline apparel. Reebok was the supplier for the past decade.

The lawsuit said demands for Tebow-related Jets apparel was intense last week during a normally subdued time for NFL merchandise sales.

It said Nike, based in Beaverton, Ore., believes Reebok was shipping large volumes of Tebow-related apparel products to retailers for sale to the public this week, damaging Nike's ability to capitalize on a "unique and short-lived opportunity."

The lawsuit added that it was unlikely that a consumer who buys an unauthorized Tebow jersey or T-shirt from Reebok this week will buy an authorized Tebow item from Nike next week.

[Frazod]

Who the hell would want one?

[BoneKrusher]

Who the hell would want one?

ROFL
maybe someone wanted for a crash test dummy.

[Epic Fail 007]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ROFL

[HemiEd]

Who the hell would want one?

Nobody I know, but he does have quite a following. I think this is the main reason NY wanted him, to sell the hype.

[mr. tegu]

Poor Nike missing out on dozens of sales.

[BoneKrusher]

Nobody I know, but he does have quite a following. I think this is the main reason NY wanted him, to sell the hype.

that would be my guess.
it would be cool if all those Tebow/Broncos fans became Jets fans and did the billboard thing in NY.

[qabbaan]

Same reason why if Tebow were here we would have plenty of people calling for him. Matt Sanchez and Mark Cassel leave fan bases crying for someone, anyone else. At least Tebow is a project rather than what Mark Cassel and Matt Sanchez are, which are decent backup QBs entrenched as starters only because the team has no other options.

[Okie_Apparition]

Tebow has created gang green fever
what a twist

[ChiefsCountry]

Same reason why if Tebow were here we would have plenty of people calling for him. Matt Sanchez and Mark Cassel leave fan bases crying for someone, anyone else. At least Tebow is a project rather than what Mark Cassel and Matt Sanchez are, which are decent backup QBs entrenched as starters only because the team has no other options.

Mark Sanchez is a way better QB than Matt Cassel.

[mr. tegu]

Same reason why if Tebow were here we would have plenty of people calling for him. Matt Sanchez and Mark Cassel leave fan bases crying for someone, anyone else. At least Tebow is a project rather than what Mark Cassel and Matt Sanchez are, which are decent backup QBs entrenched as starters only because the team has no other options.

Nobody can hate Cassel that much can they? :hmmm:

[qabbaan]

Matt Sanchez plays for a way better team than Mark Cassel.

fixies

[HemiEd]

that would be my guess.
it would be cool if all those Tebow/Broncos fans became Jets fans and did the billboard thing in NY.

Yep, they need constant fuel to feed that media frenzy. This ought to give them plenty of crap to media about for the next few years.

[BoneKrusher]

Nobody can hate Cassel that much can they? :hmmm:

you forgot about me. :D

[HemiEd]

Nobody can hate Cassel that much can they? :hmmm:

I can't think of a single QB in the NFL, that I wouldn't prefer. Wait, Palko is done right, not in the NFL anymore correct?

You have to hand it to them for marching out the only guy that was available, that was worse.

[Micjones]

Do we have a sneak peek at what the Chiefs uni's will look like?

[Xanathol]

Mind you, I am wearing Nikes on my feet right now, but if I read that right, Nike is pissed that Reebok - who for the moment, actually still owns the rights to produce the jersey - produced the jersey... instead of wasting their last few weeks to the rights so that Nike could cash in on Tebowmania when they take over the rights... Yeah.... Nike should be counter sued for being such a douche.

[chefsos]

There should be a poll.

Who do you side with?

-Nike
-Reebok
-Jihad on both factories while both legal teams are present

[chefsos]

Do we have a sneak peek at what the Chiefs uni's will look like?Yeah...same as always with a swoosh or two added.

[Micjones]

Yeah...same as always with a swoosh or two added.

Gotcha.

[Frazod]

I'll bet Tebow could make a fortune selling autographed clipboards.

[listopencil]

Who the hell would want one?

There a ton of people out there who are just Tebow fans. It's like a cult.

[listopencil]

According to the lawsuit, new Nike-supplied uniforms for all 32 NFL teams will be unveiled next week in New York City.


This could be a ploy by Nike to drum up hype for the new gear. I am looking forward to it myself.

[Frazod]

There a ton of people out there who are just Tebow fans. It's like a cult.

He'd probably be a nice guy to have a beer with (assuming God allows him to drink), but that's not what I'm looking for in a quarterback.

[listopencil]

He'd probably be a nice guy to have a beer with (assuming God allows him to drink), but that's not what I'm looking for in a quarterback.

Oh sure. I like the kid. I admire his beliefs. You almost can't help rooting for him unless he's playing against your team. This cult-like following has little to do with football though.

[Setsuna]

Oh sure. I like the kid. I admire his beliefs. You almost can't help rooting for him unless he's playing against your team. This cult-like following has little to do with football though.

Don't say true statements. They all foam at the mouth to get an insult in whenever his name is mentioned, but they damn sure take the time to respond to a thread about him. Sounds obsessed to me.

[TRR]

Mark Sanchez is a way better QB than Matt Cassel.

No.
Posted via Mobile Device

[DTLB58]

Do we have a sneak peek at what the Chiefs uni's will look like?

@ProFootballWkly: New #NFL apparel by NIke will be unveiled next week.

[boogblaster]

to the bank .....

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Damn, didn't realize toilet paper was getting that expensive.