Baseball card and NFT company Topps set to go public via SPAC in deal worth $1.3 billion

• Baseball card company Topps is going public via a SPAC merger with Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corp. II.
• The deal will raise up to $571 million in cash for Topps and value the company at $1.3 billion.
• Former Disney CEO and Chairman Michael Eisner will serve as the chairman of Topps.
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Topps, an 83 year-old baseball card company that also sells Bazooka gum and non-fungible-tokens, is going public via a SPAC merger with Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corp. II.

The deal values Topps at $1.3 billion and will raise up to $571 million in cash for the company. For Disney CEO and Chairman Michael Eisner will serve as Chairman of the company. Eisner acquired Topps in 2007 via his investment firm Tornante.

Topps saw a surge in business in 2020 as the collectible market soared due to the COVID-19 pandemic affording many consumers time to dig up their old playing cards and reminisce.

The company saw its revenue grow 23% to $567 million last year as it expanded into offering digital non-fungible-token cards on the blockchain. This digital business already represents about 25% of the company's business.

"The strong emotional connection between the Topps brand and consumers of all ages is truly foundational, and, when combined with our growing portfolio of strategic licensing partnerships, creates a profitable business model with meaningful competitive advantages," Eisner said.

Topps is projecting top line revenue growth of at least 20% and adjusted EBITDA of more than $100 million in 2021, Eisner said in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday.

In addition to its trading cards and NFT business, Topps also owns candy brands like Bazooka gum, Ring Pop, and Baby Bottle Pop.

Shares of Mudrick Acquisition Corp. II traded up 8% on Tuesday.

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