ATLANTA NHL EXPANSION TEAM FILES SUIT OVER THRASHER NAME

          The Atlanta NHL expansion team which plans to be called
     the Thrashers "has filed a federal lawsuit" against the
     owner of a S.F.-based skateboard magazine named Thrasher and
     "seeks a court order giving the club permission to use that
     name as well," according to Henry Unger of the ATLANTA
     CONSTITUTION.  The team, which initially offered $50,000 for
     the name, "has failed so far" to negotiate a financial deal
     that would compensate the 17-year-old magazine, which has a
     trademark for the name and sells other merchandise using it. 
     Unger adds the name "now becomes a key legal and financial
     battle for the franchise just before it had planned to
     unveil its logo and merchandise" (ATL. CONSTITUTION, 1/7).