TALK ABOUT NUTS: NHLE MULLS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST WINGS HATS

          The "Wing Nut" hats that Red Wings fans sport at games
     "may soon be collectors' items" if the NHL gets its way,
     reports Rene Wisely of the DETROIT NEWS.  NHL Enterprises
     (NHLE) is "opposing the trademark application"  by the
     producers of the Wing Nut, an action that "could stop
     production" on the $20 hats.  Marc Kellman, who created the
     hat with his uncle, David Kellman, said that the pair talked
     with Red Wings execs in '96 "about selling the idea to the
     team or jointly producing the hat."  Kellman said that the
     Wings "weren't interested," but told him that he "could
     proceed as long as they removed the Red Wing emblem." 
     However, Red Wings general counsel said that "no permission
     was granted."  Wisely writes that the hats can continue to
     be produced "until a civil lawsuit is filed," and notes that
     the Kellmans "thought the Wings were happy with the final
     product" after the team bought 90 hats (DETROIT NEWS, 5/29).