The Topps Company Inc. Appoints Meltem Demirors to its Board

The Topps Company, Inc. (“Topps” or “the Company”), a global leader in sports and entertainment collectibles and confections, announced today that Meltem Demirors will join the Company’s Board of Directors, following the completion of its business combination with Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation II (“MUDS”) (NASDAQ: MUDS). This appointment was included in the updated Preliminary Proxy Statement filed by Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corp II with the SEC on July 6, 2021.

Ms. Demirors brings extensive digital currency and innovation leadership to The Topps Company. She is Chief Strategy Officer of CoinShares, a multi-billion-dollar global digital asset investment firm that provides access and guidance to clients navigating the digital asset ecosystem, where she oversees the firm’s corporate strategy, investments, and growth efforts. Previously, Ms. Demirors was part of the founding team of Digital Currency Group, a venture capital company focusing on the digital currency market, where she was instrumental in growing its assets under management from $150 million to $3 billion in less than three years.

“I am confident that Meltem’s substantial experience with accelerating growth and acceptance of the state-of-the-art cryptocurrency asset class will benefit Topps’ long range plans,” said Michael D. Eisner, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Disney and Chairman of The Topps Company.

“I look forward to partnering with Meltem as we continue to develop innovative digital products,” said Michael Brandstaedter, Chief Executive Officer of The Topps Company. “Her insights will be extremely valuable as we evolve in this exciting space.”

Ms. Demirors currently is a course lecturer at Oxford Saïd Business School, and is co-chair of the WEF Cryptocurrency Council and actively involved in bitcoin education and advocacy efforts. Ms. Demirors currently serves as a director on the board of CoinShares Co., CoinShares Capital LLC, Kingdom Trust, Mintgreen Corp., and Compass Mining Corp., and as a board advisor for Blockdaemon, Inc. and Casa, Inc. Ms. Demirors holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematical Economic Analysis and a Masters of Business Administration from MIT Sloan School of Management.

“Topps has an impressive 80-plus year history and much of its successes are due to the Company’s ability to develop a powerful emotional connection with its customers,” said Ms. Demirors. “Topps is just starting to scratch the surface with its digital presence, and I am excited to play a major role in facilitating its growth to become a leader in the space.”

On May 12, 2021, MUDS, a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, filed its preliminary proxy in connection with its proposed business combination with The Topps Company, which has since been amended. Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will be named Topps Companies, Inc. and will be listed on NASDAQ under the new ticker symbol “TOPP.”

In addition to Ms. Demirors, Michael Eisner, Andrew Redman, Eric Eisner, Maria Seferian, Jill Ellis, Scott Pasquini and Marc Lasry have each been nominated to serve as directors of the post-combination company upon completion of the Transactions. Biographies for the existing board members can be found in the Preliminary Proxy Statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation II, which can be found at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or through www.mudrickcapitalacquisitioncorp.com.

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