I want to have lapel pins made using the logo of a WHA team and then sell them, do I need to...?

May have a long hard search in front of you. It would be easier if you were picking a team like the Hartford Whalers that went to the NHL when the WHA folded. If you only want to make them for the New Jersey Knights then it will be a bit easier since you only have the one team to hunt down and ask permission of. If you are in New Jersey it may be easier to at least get a good start. First look up who the last owner of the team was. They usually own the rights to the trademarks, or they could tell you who does. Follow the team or League's ownership until you can find the current owner. Although after 30 years the trademark may have expired.