MANHATTAN — The biggest fight over Tim Tebow isn't in the Jets locker room.
After the Christian quarterback joined Gang Green last week in a blockbuster deal, a battle has broken out between two sporting apparel giants — with Nike suing Reebok in New York federal court over the sale of Tebow-branded apparel, according to a report.
Nike claims in that Reebok pulled a quarterback sneak — cranking out Tebow Jets jerseys and other apparel without permission after last week's much-discussed trade and illegally cashing in on the former Denver Bronco's fame, NBC New York reported Wednesday.
The company, which is taking over for Reebok as the supplier of NFL uniforms and fan apparel on April 1, blames Reebok for preventing it from taking advantage of a "unique and short-lived opportunity" to make money off of the Tebow trade, NBC reported.
And it claims that Reebok did not get Tebow's permission to make the gear, according to the report.
Tebow fans flocked to Modell's in Times Square just after the trade was announced, picking up scores of T-shirts, jerseys, necklaces and earrings.
Tebow, known for kneeling in prayer in between plays, said at a press conference Monday that he is "excited" to join the Jets, where he will back up quarterback Mark Sanchez.
