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Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner: 'I've always worked at companies where I have fun'

Michael Eisner went from Mickey Mouse to Mickey Mantle. Now he's re-entering public-company life after a decade and a half away from it. Eisner, the chairman of The Topps Company, agreed to take the trading card maker public through a deal with investor Jason Mudrick's SPAC.

Those of a certain age may recall the longtime Disney CEO as a friendly, mild persona hosting "The Wonderful World of Disney" TV show in the late 1980s. Behind the scenes, he was a powerhouse, at times controversial leader who oversaw Disney's theme park expansion, the acquisition of networks including ESPN, and the era of animated musical blockbusters like "The Lion King."

The through line from Mufasa to memorabilia, for Eisner, is nostalgia, or what he called a "kind of Proustian remembrances of things past (and when I say that my wife says it's pretentious, but it's true)."

"I've always worked at companies where I have fun and it's an emotional connection in my life," Eisner told Yahoo Finance Live.

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He said his successors at Disney have maintained that connection, and gave high marks to both Bob Iger, who took the reins when Eisner stepped down in 2005, and current CEO Bob Chapek.

"I am a shareholder and a very happy shareholder," Eisner said. "I think their acquisition of Pixar was very smart. [Iger] was able to do what I couldn't get done with Steve Jobs. And then Marvel of course, and 'Star Wars.'"

SUN VALLEY, ID - JULY 11: Michael Eisner, former chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, speaks with reporters on the first day of the annual Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, July 11, 2017 in Sun Valley, Idaho. Every July, some of the world's most wealthy and powerful businesspeople from the media, finance, technology and political spheres converge at the Sun Valley Resort for the exclusive weeklong conference. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Michael Eisner, former chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, speaks with reporters on the first day of the annual Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, July 11, 2017 in Sun Valley, Idaho. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (Drew Angerer via Getty Images)

Disney has counted on the emotional connections of its customers to build out its franchises into a streaming success, as evidenced by its 100 million Disney+ subscribers, who have binged shows like "Wandavision" and "The Mandalorian." The price of the service was raised by $1 to $7.99 a month in late March.

Since Eisner departed Disney in September 2005, Disney shares have risen by more than 650%, compared with a roughly 230% return for the S&P 500. The stock was no slouch during his tenure. During his time as CEO, dating from September 1984, Disney surged by about 2,000%.

Topps might not have Disney-sized potential, but the company, known for its baseball cards and other collectibles, is also no slouch, with about $500 million in revenue last year. That's what drew in Mudrick, a distressed investor also known for making $200 million from trading GameStop earlier this year. Nostalgia played a role for him, too: He ran home to dig up his old baseball cards when planning the deal.

Julie Hyman is the co-anchor of Yahoo Finance Live, weekdays 9am-11am ET.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance