Nike, Reebok Set to Battle over Tim Tebow NFL Jersey

Lock your doors and take refuge in your storm shelters, for two titans of the sports apparel industry are set to wage litigious war upon one another in an epic battle to the death. Or at least until a verdict.

That's right—Nike is suing Reebok for putting Tim Tebow's name on a replica jersey that can be purchased at NFL.com even though Nike has licensing rights with the NFL.

"

Nike has filed suit against Reebok for Tim Tebow Jets jerseys. They're for sale on nflshop.com now: bit.ly/H0qaJT.

— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) March 28, 2012"

Of course Tebow is freaking involved. That's how you know this will get ugly.

"

Reason why Nike is suing Reebok: Nike says Reebok didn't have the right to put Tebow's name on jerseys because NFLPA deal expired.

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) March 28, 2012"

"

To make NFL jerseys, licensee has to have 2 deals. 1 with league to make league marks, 1 with the players association for player names.

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) March 28, 2012"

It's a bit of a murky situation. You see, Reebok still has league rights through March 31, but Nike has exclusive rights to use players' names already.

"

Nike is claiming Reebok only had the rights to sell existing inventory, which would mean Tebow Broncos apparel, not Jets.

— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) March 28, 2012"

"

Suit says NFL Players authorized rep confirmed to Nike that Reebok does not have rights to use Tebow's name and number on Reebok apparel.

— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) March 28, 2012"

Nike released the following statement on the matter:

"

We have filed a complaint relating to unauthorized use of Tim Tebow's name on New York Jets related apparel. Nike is authorized and licensed to use Tim Tebow's name on products. We have no further comment at this stage.

"

Reebok screwed up here in a big, big way, and the Swoosh is going to get some because of it. If I were Nike, I would tell Reebok my company would drop the whole thing if we could get exclusive rights to Terry Tate.

Give him up, and everything is good. I think that's fair, but I'm just a writer with a slight Terry Tate commercial obsession, so what do I know?

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets have won a lot since 2009.