Swimsuit maker sues Warnaco over high-tech suit

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - It is out of the pool and into the federal court for two of the largest U.S. swimsuit makers in a battle over high-tech and high-priced swimwear.

Privately held TYR Sport Inc, the second-largest swimwear maker, filed suit against No. 1, the unit of Warnaco Group Inc that makes Speedo swimsuits, in U.S. District Court for Central California. The suit alleges violations of federal and state antitrust laws, restraint of trade and false advertising in connection with a high-tech Speedo that sells for more than $500.

TYR also sued USA Swimming, the sport's national governing body, and its head coach, Mark Schubert.

Schubert told U.S. Olympic swim team hopefuls that they had better wear Speedo at this summer's team trials for the Beijing Olympics "or they may end up at home watching on NBC," according to the lawsuit.

TYR also sued two-time Olympian Erik Vendt, who had signed to endorse its product but chose to wear a Speedo suit to a January competition.

Vendt, a silver medalist, could not be reached for comment, but his agent, Evan Morgenstein of Premier Management Group, LLC, told Reuters: "There is no way, shape or form that he violated his contract."

Morgenstein said that as a result of the "unfair treatment" Vendt received, his company, which represents more than 30 Olympic athletes, will no longer do business with TYR Sport.

Warnaco did not return phone calls seeking comment. USA Swimming declined to comment and Schubert could not be reached for comment.

"In exchange for substantial financial contributions Speedo makes to USA Swimming" the sport's governing body refuses "to offer sponsorship opportunities" to Speedo's competitors, TYR said in the lawsuit.