Eisner being edged out

The former Disney CEO no doubt envisioned a much simpler life as an investor, producer and occasional talk show host. But it's not turning out that way, especially the investor part. His private investment firm, Tornante Co. (hairpin turn in Italian), had bid $9.75 a share a couple of months back for baseball card and bubblegum maker Topps Co., but Upper Deck Co. has come along with a $10.75 offer. Upper Deck had made its bid earlier, but it wasn't pursued for reasons that aren't entirely clear (the Eisner bid had been opposed by three directors). Actually, there's a lot about this thing that's unclear, but shares of NY-based Topps keep going up. This morning, they were trading at $10.29, which means that Eisner might kiss his offer bye-bye - unless he's decides to up the price or Upper Deck runs into antitrust or financing problems.