As DIU searches for modular, communications-resilient technology to conduct unmanned naval mine countermeasures, Vatn Systems' SIGURD system evaluated under operational conditions.

BRISTOL, R.I., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vatn Systems, a leading defense technology company building autonomous underwater vehicles for the U.S. military, allied nations, and commercial customers, today announced it is a winner of the Department of War Innovation Unit's (DIU) Mine Counter Measure Modernization Prize Challenge. Vatn's SIGURD system, built on the company's Skelmir S6 platform, successfully competed in the Near Surface and Volume Mine Engage Test and Evaluation segment, earning recognition as one of the top-performing solutions.

"Mine countermeasures has long been an underfunded and technically demanding mission in naval warfare, and DIU built this challenge to see which systems could perform under real mission conditions," said Nelson Mills, co-founder and CEO of Vatn Systems. "During DIU's evaluation, SIGURD autonomously detected, reacquired and neutralized mine threats the way operators would encounter them in the field. As the need for this capability grows more urgent, this win helps us accelerate our mission of delivering undersea superiority at scale."

DIU opened the MCM Modernization Prize Challenge in May 2026, seeking modular, communication-resilient, and rapidly fieldable capabilities to reacquire and neutralize underwater mine threats. Vatn's SIGURD system, which pairs autonomous detection and terminal engagement, executed the required missions and was selected by DIU to receive a challenge prize based on its performance.

Vatn launched SIGURD in July 2026, built in a matter of weeks by configuring the company's Skelmir S6 platform into a dedicated mine countermeasures system. It is designed, tested, and verified by a team of former Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians. Vatn's win in DIU's challenge points to growing government interest in affordable, rapidly fieldable mine countermeasures capability that keeps warfighters at safe standoff.

About Vatn Systems 

Vatn Systems is a leading defense technology company building autonomous underwater vehicles that can be deployed at scale for the U.S. military, allied nations, and commercial customers. Founded in 2023 by a team of maritime experts and military leaders, Vatn Systems is on a mission to be the next underwater defense prime in a world where autonomous systems dominate naval battlefields. For more information, visit www.vatn.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.

Media Contact: 

[email protected]

SOURCE Vatn Systems

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PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PaleBlueDot AI ("the Company"), a Silicon Valley-based Super Intelligence platform founded in 2024, today announced the completion of a $200 million Series C financing led by ComputeCore at a valuation of $3.2 billion.

The round follows the Company's $150 million Series B financing announced in January. B Capital, an existing shareholder, participated in the Series C along with other global investors.

Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Palo Alto, PaleBlueDot AI's Super Intelligence Infrastructure Platform brings together self-owned GPU clusters, GPU marketplace and serverless inference businesses. Its mission is to make intelligence universally accessible, with a vision of empowering AI everywhere for everyone.

The Company owns and operates dedicated GPU clusters, which it customizes for global customers with large or specialized workloads. Its B300 cluster in Japan recently earned NVIDIA Exemplar Cloud status, validating its performance against NVIDIA's reference benchmarks. Through its marketplace, PaleBlueDot AI provides customers with on-demand access to compute across a global network of supply partners, while its serverless inference offering delivers flexible Super Intelligence compute for developers and enterprises.

This year, PaleBlueDot AI has diversified both its data-center capacity and its customer base. As of the end of September 2026, PaleBlueDot AI had signed over $5 billion in customer contracts. Customers from the U.S. and Japan together accounted for more than half of monthly revenue.

PaleBlueDot AI's clusters are located across multiple regions, with customers spanning markets worldwide. The Company's supply chain has been built for efficiency and security, enabling customers to bring capacity online quickly and operate it with confidence.

Proceeds from the Series C will fund additional Super Intelligence compute capacity, giving customers greater choice in locations and hardware.

Stephen Watts, CEO of PaleBlueDot AI, expressed confidence in the company's future plans: "We will continue to broaden our customer base, with a focus on frontier labs, Neolabs and enterprises in the U.S., and we will invest in our full-stack and go-to-market teams."

About PaleBlueDot AI

PaleBlueDot AI is a Silicon Valley-based Super Intelligence Infrastructure Platform with a growing global footprint. The company delivers high-performance Super Intelligence compute through a unified platform designed for enterprise-scale deployment. Guided by its mission to make intelligence universally accessible, PaleBlueDot AI enables organizations to build, deploy, and scale Super Intelligence faster, better, and cheaper. Named after the image of Planet Earth taken on the 1990 Voyager space mission coined by Carl Sagan as "a pale blue dot," the company shares a belief in the transformative potential of Super Intelligence technology to benefit all of humanity.

Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE PaleBlueDot AI

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As AI Spreads at Work, Organizational Psychologist Says Companies Are Missing the People Who Make Change Stick

Phoenix author Dr. Deb Peck explains how hidden workplace connections shape AI adoption, succession and organizational change

PHOENIX, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Companies can buy AI tools and train employees to use them. But if leaders overlook the people whom colleagues trust for advice, those investments may fail to change how work gets done, says organizational psychologist and Phoenix author Dr. Deborah Peck.

"When leaders attempt to roll out major AI initiatives or navigate organizational changes, such as massive retirements, managing individuals and task metrics is no longer enough," Peck said. "You must understand how information, influence, and trust actually move through the entire workforce."

The timing is critical: In a 2026 Gallup survey, among employees at organizations that implement AI, 78% of those who strongly agreed that their manager supports its use reported using AI frequently. This number indicates that the purpose of using AI is critical for the leader to communicate. With the rapid growth of AI, employees may feel competitive. The risk could mean that experts do not share their knowledge and there is reduced trust within teams that cause deadline or budget impacts. Organizational Network Analysis, or ONA, is a relationship science that can measure these changes.

In Turning Intuition Into Science: Harnessing the Power of Organizational Network Analysis, Peck describes a way to map the informal relationships that an organizational chart misses: who employees ask for help, who connects teams and where vital knowledge rests with only a few people. ONA can give leaders a clearer picture before they redesign workflows, introduce technology or lose experienced staff.

The book draws on Peck's work across technology companies, large enterprises and public sector organizations. Its examples include succession planning in municipal first responder departments and collaboration across teams in enterprise technology settings. Those settings pose different challenges but the leadership question is similar: Who actually helps information and trust move through the organization?

For Greater Phoenix employers and public agencies managing growth, new technology and workforce transitions, Peck offers a local voice on a national challenge. She can discuss practical concerns for executives: Which employees are the trusted guides during an AI rollout? Where would a retirement or departure break the flow of knowledge? Which teams appear connected on paper but rarely exchange what they need to do their work?

Peck cautions that mapping relationships is a starting point for listening and planning, not a way to label employees as resistant to change. Leaders still need clear expectations, useful tools and room for staff to raise concerns about privacy, workload and the purpose of new technology.

Turning Intuition Into Science: Harnessing the Power of Organizational Network Analysis is available in hardcover, paperback and ebook formats through major online booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About Dr. Deborah Peck

Deborah Peck, Ph.D., is president and founder of Seity Insight, Inc. An industrial and organizational psychologist, she helps organizations use Organizational Network Analysis to understand workforce relationships and address leadership challenges. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Her experience spans startups, Fortune 100 companies and public sector organizations. Her work has been featured in Scottsdale at Work, HR Tech, AZ 2020 Resources for Growth Publication and Arizona Women. Learn more at seity.com.

For interviews, review copies or speaking inquiries:

MeghanKrein

Ink Fox Publicity

[email protected]

SOURCE InkFox Publicity

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GREEN BAY, Wis., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) today announced it expects to release third quarter 2026 financial results on Thursday, October 22, 2026, after market close. The Company also expects to host a conference call for investors and analysts at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (CT) on the same day.

Interested parties can access the live webcast of the call through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, http://investor.associatedbank.com. Parties may also dial into the call at 877-407-8037 (domestic) or 201-689-8037 (international) and request the Associated Banc-Corp third quarter 2026 earnings call. The financial tables and an accompanying slide presentation are expected to be available on the Company's website just prior to the call. An audio archive of the webcast is expected to be available on the Company's website approximately fifteen minutes after the call is over.

ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $52 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from over 200 banking locations throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. The Company also operates loan production offices in Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this presentation which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This includes any statements regarding management's plans, objectives, or goals for future operations, products or services, and forecasts of its revenues, earnings, or other measures of performance. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "should," "intend," "target," "outlook," "project," "guidance," "forecast," or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations and, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements include those identified in the Company's most recent Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Qs and other SEC filings, and such factors are incorporated herein by reference.

Investor Contact: Ben McCarville

Senior Vice President | Director of Investor Relations

920-491-7059 | [email protected]

Media Contact: Andrea Kozek

Vice President | Senior Manager, Public Relations

920-491-7518 | [email protected]

SOURCE Associated Banc-Corp

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Highland Global Allocation Fund Declares Monthly Distributions of $0.085 Per Share

DALLAS, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Highland Global Allocation Fund (NYSE: HGLB) ("the "Fund") today announced the declaration of monthly distributions of $0.085 per share, payable on the dates noted below. Under the Fund's level distribution policy, the annual distribution rate has been reset to an amount equal to 8.5% of the average of the Fund's net asset value ("NAV") per share, as reported for the final five trading days of the 2025 calendar year. The Fund is declaring distributions of $0.085 per month for October through December 2026.

The following dates apply to the distributions declared:

About the Level Distribution Policy

In March 2019, the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Board") approved a level distribution policy (the "Level Distribution Policy") under which the Fund makes monthly distributions to stockholders at a constant and fixed (but not guaranteed) rate that will reset annually to a rate calculated based on the average of the Fund's NAV per share (the "Distribution Amount"), as reported for the final five trading days of the month preceding the announcement of distributions. The Distribution Amount applicable to Q3 2026 was reset based upon the results of the distribution rate calculation. The Distribution Amount applicable for future periods may be reset based upon the results of the distribution rate calculation.

There can be no guarantee that the Level Distribution Policy will be successful in its goals. The Fund's ability to maintain a stable level of distributions to shareholders will depend on a number of factors, including changes in the financial market, market interest rates, and performance of overall equity and fixed-income markets. As portfolio and market conditions change, the ability of the Fund to continue to make distributions in accordance with the Level Distribution Policy may be affected.

Shareholders have the option of reinvesting distributions in additional common shares through the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan, or electing to receive cash by contacting AST, their financial adviser or their brokerage firm. Shareholders who wish to receive their distribution in cash must opt out of the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan. For further information, shareholders should carefully read the description of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan in the prospectus.

The Board may amend the Level Distribution Policy, the Distribution Amount or distribution intervals, or the Fund may cease distributions entirely, at any time, without prior notice to shareholders. The announcement of, amendment to, or later termination of this Level Distribution Policy may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund's shares of common stock.

The Fund may at times, in its discretion, pay out less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular period and may at times pay out such accumulated undistributed income in addition to net investment income earned in other periods in order to permit the Fund to maintain a stable level of distributions. As a result, the dividend paid by the Fund to shareholders for any particular period may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Fund during such period. The Fund intends to distribute all realized net long-term capital gains, if any, no more than once every twelve months.

To the extent that sufficient investment income is not available on a monthly basis, the Fund's distributions may consist of return of capital in order to maintain the distribution amount. A return of capital occurs when some or all of the money that shareholders invested in the Fund is paid back to them. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with 'yield' or 'income.' Any such returns of capital will decrease the Fund's total assets and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the Fund's expense ratio. In addition, the Level Distribution Policy may require the Fund to sell its portfolio securities at a less than opportune time to meet the distribution amount.

Shareholders should not make any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's distributions or the Fund's Level Distribution Policy. With each distribution that does not consist solely of net investment income, the Fund will issue a notice to shareholders that will provide detailed information regarding the amount and composition of the distribution and other related information. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in the notice to shareholders are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the distributions for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during its full fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send individual shareholders a Form 1099-DIV for each calendar year that will tell them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Please consult your tax advisor about any tax implications applicable to you in light of your particular circumstances.

About the Highland Global Allocation Fund

The Highland Global Allocation Fund ("HGLB") (NYSE: HGLB) is a closed-end fund managed by NexPoint Asset Management, L.P. For more information visit www.nexpointassetmgmt.com/global-allocation-fund.

About NexPoint Asset Management, L.P.

NexPoint Asset Management, L.P. is an SEC-registered investment adviser. It is the adviser to a suite of registered open-end funds and closed-end funds. For more information visit nexpointassetmgmt.com.

The distribution may include a return of capital. Please refer to the 19(a)-1 Source of Distribution Notice on the NexPoint Funds website for Section 19 notices that provide estimated amounts and sources of the fund's distributions, which should not be relied upon for tax reporting purposes.

No assurance can be given that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.

Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to net asset value. The price of the Fund's shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the Fund. Therefore, the Fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below or above net asset value. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Before investing in the Fund, you should carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. For a copy of a prospectus or summary prospectus, the Fund's most recent annual report on Form N-CSR, semi-annual report, and other filings which contain this and other information, please visit our website at www.nexpointassetmgmt.com, the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, or call 1-800-357-9167. Please read these materials carefully before investing.

CONTACTS

Investor Relations

Kristen Griffith

[email protected]

Media Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Highland Global Allocation Fund

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U.S. consumers ranked multifocal contact lenses among their preferred anti-aging solutions, highlighting untapped opportunities for earlier presbyopia conversations, and practice growth

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from CooperVision reveals that vision remains an overlooked, yet high potential part of the healthy aging conversation as consumers increasingly invest in products and services that help them look and feel younger. The Unmet Opportunities: Multifocal Contact Lenses and the Anti-Aging Movement (U.S.) report highlights evolving attitudes towards aging and receptiveness to multifocal contact lenses, revealing largely untapped opportunities for eye care professionals (ECPs) to introduce them earlier in the patient journey. It is now available at coopervision.com/practitioner/tools-and-resources/presbyopia-insights-report-2026.

The report combines a broad, comprehensive survey of U.S. adults ages 38 and older with market data on healthy aging attitudes and behaviors. The results reveal a notable awareness gap: while consumers are investing heavily in products and services to help them look and feel younger, many remain unfamiliar with multifocal contact lenses and the role they can play in maintaining an active, youthful lifestyle as vision changes.

The research found that two-thirds of respondents want to maintain a younger appearance as they age, while nearly half are concerned about how their eyes look as they grow older.*1 When asked to rank their top three anti-aging product and service categories among 10 widely available options, multifocal contact lenses were the fourth most frequently selected, on par with fitness memberships and aesthetic dental care, and ahead of cosmetic procedures.†‡1

At the same time, more than half reported little or no familiarity with multifocal contact lenses or did not recognize the term.§1 Familiarity strongly correlated with consideration; three quarters of respondents who were very familiar with multifocal contact lenses indicating they would consider wearing them.◊1

The research also suggests strong receptiveness to earlier presbyopia education. Nearly half of adults ages 38-42 said they would prefer having discussions with their ECPs before symptoms develop,¶1 while adults ages 38-47 were significantly more likely than older respondents to value multifocal contact lenses for benefits related to feeling younger, improving appearance (avoiding age-related stereotypes), and discretely concealing signs of aging from others.**††1

"For many years, presbyopia discussions have typically started after patients begin noticing symptoms," said Jennifer Palombi, OD, FAAO, Director, Professional Affairs—Americas, CooperVision. "These findings suggest there is value in shifting those conversations earlier. When patients understand their options, they are better equipped to make informed decisions, which can deepen patient-provider relationships and grow practice revenue."

In addition to further research findings, the report includes practical guidance for integrating anti-aging themes into presbyopia discussions, including annual exam prompts designed to help ECPs discuss multifocal contact lenses in a natural, patient-centered way.

To download the full report, visit https://coopervision.com/practitioner/tools-and-resources/presbyopia-insights-report-2026.

*Top 3 box; strongly agree, agree, and somewhat agree.

†Participants were introduced to multifocal contact lenses as a part of the online survey prior to responding.

‡From a list of 10 anti-aging product and service categories including nutritional supplements, skincare, aesthetic dental care, multifocal contact lenses, fitness memberships, haircare, sleep aids, wellness treatments, clothing and accessories, and cosmetic procedures.

§n=729.

◊Top 2 box; probably and definitely would use. n=150.

¶n=111.

**Top 2 box; selected extremely/very influential on decision to use multifocal contact lenses: feeling younger, improving appearance/avoiding age related stereotypes, and discreetly concealing signs of aging from others.

††n=200; p≤0.010.

References:

1. CVI data on file, 2024. Online survey, conducted with consumers aged 38+, USA. N=752.

About CooperVision

CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO), is a global leader in contact lens innovation, dedicated to advancing vision at every stage of life. The company offers one of the industry's most comprehensive portfolios of soft and specialty contact lenses—including daily disposable, two-week and monthly options—with high‑performance materials and optics across spherical, toric, and multifocal designs. With a strong heritage of addressing complex vision challenges such as childhood myopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, and irregular corneas, CooperVision combines purposeful research and development, state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing, and deep practitioner partnerships to deliver clinically advanced solutions. Decades of experience and insight continue to shape the eye care profession and create meaningful advantages for both practitioners and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.

About CooperCompanies

CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO) is a leading global medical device company focused on helping people experience life's beautiful moments through its two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision is a trusted leader in the contact lens industry, helping to improve the way people see each day. CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women's healthcare company dedicated to putting time on the side of women, babies, and families at the healthcare moments that matter most. Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., CooperCompanies has a workforce of more than 15,000, sells products in over 130 countries, and positively impacts over fifty million lives each year. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com.

Media Contact

Mike McDougall, FAAO, APR, Fellow PRSA, McDougall Communications

[email protected] or +1-585-434-2150

SOURCE CooperVision, Inc.

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Combined organization strengthens local operations, expands investment in fiber infrastructure, and accelerates high-speed connectivity across the Flathead Valley and Northwest Montana.

KALISPELL, Mont., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vero Broadband, LLC, doing business as Vero Fiber, today announced the successful completion of its merger with Montana Sky Networks Incorporated, doing business as MontanaSky, officially bringing together two established broadband providers with a shared commitment to delivering exceptional service, investing in local communities, and expanding access to reliable fiber internet throughout Northwest Montana.

The combination creates one of the region's most capable locally operated fiber broadband providers, uniting MontanaSky's trusted community presence and decades of local expertise with Vero Fiber's proven track record of fiber network development, operational excellence, and long-term infrastructure investment. Together, the companies will accelerate fiber expansion, enhance the customer experience, and deliver greater value to residents and businesses across the Flathead Valley and surrounding communities.

Founded in 1993, MontanaSky has spent more than three decades serving Northwest Montana through continual investment in connectivity solutions and a steadfast focus on customer service. That local commitment will remain unchanged as the combined organization moves forward with a common vision for the future.

Quote from Sunita Krishna, CEO of Vero Fiber

"Today marks an exciting milestone not only for our two companies, but for the communities we serve across Northwest Montana. MontanaSky has built an outstanding reputation through decades of local leadership, exceptional customer service, and a genuine commitment to community. By officially joining forces, we're creating a stronger organization with the resources, talent, and long-term investment capacity to expand fiber access faster and deliver an even better experience for customers. We are proud to welcome the MontanaSky team to the Vero family and look forward to building Northwest Montana's fiber internet future together."

Quote from Ryan Bowman, CEO of MontanaSky

"This merger brings together two organizations that have spent years investing in the same communities and working toward the same goal: delivering world-class connectivity to Northwest Montana. Vero shares our customer-first culture and commitment to local service. By combining our networks, expertise, and resources, we can invest more aggressively in fiber expansion, create new opportunities for our employees, and provide customers with greater choice, reliability, and value. We're incredibly excited about what this partnership means for the future of our communities."

The completed merger further strengthens Vero Fiber's presence in Northwest Montana and builds on the company's ongoing investments in the region. The combined organization plans to continue expanding fiber infrastructure, supporting economic development, and ensuring homes, businesses, schools, healthcare providers, and community institutions have access to the reliable, high-speed connectivity essential for long-term growth and success.

About MontanaSky

MontanaSky (Montana Sky Networks, Inc.) is a locally operated broadband provider with offices in Kalispell and Libby, Montana. For more than 30 years, MontanaSky has served communities across the Flathead Valley and Northwest Montana with a focus on delivering reliable, high-speed connectivity and exceptional local service.

About Vero Fiber

Vero Fiber (Vero Broadband, LLC), a subsidiary of VFN Holdings, Inc., is a national fiber infrastructure provider specializing in fiber-to-the-premises broadband networks. Through strategic acquisitions, partnerships, and investment in rural and underserved communities, Vero Fiber is expanding access to reliable high-speed fiber internet connectivity across the United States.

SOURCE Vero Fiber Networks

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From Yoga With Diplo to Costco Shelves: Sports Research® Launches Creatine + Electrolytes

The two-in-one drink mix marks Sports Research's first entry into Costco's sports nutrition aisle, launching with Hydrate Responsibly, a campaign embracing modern wellness culture where music, movement and community intersect.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sports Research® has launched Creatine + Electrolytes, a sugar-free powder drink mix combining 5 grams of micronized creatine monohydrate and 1,000 milligrams of electrolytes per serving. Now available at select Costco warehouses, the single-serve stick packs mark the family-owned company's first entry into the retailer's sports nutrition aisle.

Designed to simplify daily wellness and training routines, the two-in-one formula pairs creatine monohydrate for strength and workout recovery support with electrolytes for hydration support.* Its four-electrolyte blend includes sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride. Creatine + Electrolytes is Informed Sport certified, Non-GMO Project Verified and Clean Label Project® Certified.

With refreshing fruit flavors and a convenient, on-the-go format, consumers can build creatine and electrolytes into something they already do: drink water. No separate tubs or scoops, just one daily drink that makes the routine easier to maintain and more enjoyable.

"What excites me is how this product comes together: the formula, the flavors and the quality behind it," said Mike Pedersen, Chief Operating Officer of Sports Research. "It reflects the care we've always put into our products, now in a format built for how people actually live."

Creatine + Electrolytes builds on two established categories in Sports Research's portfolio: creatine powders and capsules, and original and salted electrolyte formulas. The launch brings those product lines together for the first time.

"Continuing to expand our presence at Costco is an exciting milestone for Sports Research," said Abid Shivji, Vice President of Business Development and Strategy at Sports Research. "Creatine and electrolytes are both strong and growing categories, and bringing them together in one convenient product is a natural extension for Sports Research. We're excited to bring this innovation to Costco members."

Hydrate Responsibly: From Cabo to Costco to Community

The Sports Research Creatine + Electrolytes launch is supported by Hydrate Responsibly, a social and community-driven campaign that turns the familiar "drink responsibly" cue into a positive invitation: make your drink do more and bring more intention to an everyday habit. Through education on the science behind creatine and hydration, the campaign empowers consumers to make informed choices about what they drink. Creators and community experiences bring that conversation into modern wellness culture, helping people discover the product in real life.

That idea came to life over Labor Day weekend during yoga with Diplo at Country Splash Cabo in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. After headlining Saturday's pool party, the global DJ and producer traded the stage for the mat, opening Sunday's outdoor session before Sports Research instructors led guests through a yoga workout under the sun. Artists, creators and festivalgoers gathered for morning movement, then sampled the new formula chilled in miniature cowboy boots. At a festival of pool parties, open bars and country music, the unexpected shot was creatine.

The reveal was part of a weekend-wide effort to make wellness part of the experience people came to enjoy. As Official Wellness Partner of Country Splash Cabo at Paradisus Los Cabos, Sports Research brought hydration, recovery and movement to a festival welcoming more than 3,000 guests and headlined by Riley Green, Jon Pardi, Tucker Wetmore and Diplo. From horseback rides along the Cabo coast to morning yoga, the setting showed how naturally Creatine + Electrolytes could fit where music, travel and wellness meet.

Sports Research is extending Hydrate Responsibly into run clubs, boutique fitness, festivals and other live experiences, working with experts, creators and athletes to connect product education with everyday routines. Through social media and in-person experiences, the campaign invites people to discover Creatine + Electrolytes, share what Hydrate Responsibly means to them and carry the conversation into their own communities.

"Yoga with Diplo embodied the energy behind Creatine + Electrolytes," said Shannon Lewallen, Senior Director of Communications at Sports Research. "This product belongs in that crossover: rooted in sports nutrition, with a place in modern wellness and culture. We created Hydrate Responsibly to capture that energy, inviting people to rethink what their drink can do for them and how wellness can fit into the experiences they already love. We want the discovery to last beyond the moment, becoming a daily habit people enjoy and share. That's Hydrate Responsibly."

Availability

The 30-count variety pack available at Costco includes Watermelon, Lemon Lime and Tropical Punch; availability varies by warehouse. A separate 16-count variety pack featuring those three flavors plus Red Grape is available at Amazon.com, TikTok Shop and SportsResearch.com.

Make your drink do more. Hydrate Responsibly with Sports Research® Creatine + Electrolytes, wherever wellness takes you.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

About Sports Research®

Founded in Southern California in 1980, Sports Research® is a family-owned health and wellness company built on a legacy of innovation, quality, and performance. What began with Sweet Sweat®, the product that launched the company, has evolved into a global portfolio of vitamins, supplements, sports nutrition, hydration, and performance products designed to support everyday health and the pursuit of better.

Sports Research has remained committed to raising the standard for what consumers should expect from wellness products. From ingredient sourcing and formulation to research, testing, and independent verification, the company takes a proof-first approach to developing products with quality and purpose at every step.

Today, Sports Research products are available through leading retailers and e-commerce platforms across the U.S. and around the world. Learn more at SportsResearch.com.

Media Contact

Shannon Lewallen

Senior Director of Communications

[email protected] 

SOURCE Sports Research

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The platform puts an athlete's contracts, deals and payments in one place, shared with everyone who works for them.

ISSAQUAH, Wash., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nukleus today launched a platform that gives athletes what every team in professional sports already has: a front office. Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty, the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is an investor in the company and the face of the platform.

Every deal on Nukleus gets its own shared workspace, where the contract, the people working on it and the money it produces live together. Agencies invoice and collect through the platform, so the athlete and everyone in their corner can follow a deal from signature to payment. A revenue dashboard projects the payout schedule on the athlete's playing contract and lays every known brand deal beside it, giving the athlete and their team one source of truth for what's coming in and when.

Nukleus runs its AI on its own servers rather than through an outside AI provider, keeping athletes' contracts and financial details in-house. The AI helps athletes and their teams understand the terms that shape their careers, from how a guarantee works under the collective bargaining agreement to what a player's pension will pay.

"When you come into the league, everybody wants to work with you," Jeanty said. "What nobody gives you is a way to see the whole picture. Nukleus does that. I know where my contracts are, I know what's coming in and when, and I know my whole team is working off the same information I am."

"Athletes are the reason this entire industry exists, and they're almost always the last to see the full picture of their own business. No team would run its business that way, and no athlete should have to, either," said Hector Rivas, founder and CEO of Nukleus, who co-founded ThriftBooks and later the sports agency Disruptive Sports.

The cost of that blind spot is well documented. A 2015 National Bureau of Economic Research study of every player drafted into the NFL from 1996 to 2003 found that nearly one in six filed for bankruptcy within 12 years of retiring, and that longer careers and bigger paychecks offered little protection. Too often, an athlete's business is scattered: the agent holds the contract, the marketing rep brings in the brand deals and the CPA sees the tax picture, and none of them share a system.

The same pressure now reaches college athletes. Since July 2025, the House v. NCAA settlement has let schools pay student-athletes directly, up to approximately $21.58 million per school in 2026-27, on top of outside NIL deals. Those athletes are now running real businesses, and like the pros before them, they're doing it without a system that ties it all together.

Athletes join Nukleus for free by downloading the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, both linked at nukleus.co. The agents, advisors and organizations that work with them pay for their own access and can try the platform at no cost for 30 days.

About Nukleus

Nukleus is the operating system for the business of sports. Built around the athlete, the platform connects agents, accountants, attorneys, financial advisors, marketing agencies, brands, collectives and programs in one shared workspace for contracts, deals, payments and communication. Nukleus is headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, and is available on the web, the Apple App Store and Google Play. Learn more at nukleus.co.

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Cooper Hubbard

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Partnership expands the bank's support for the next generation of flag football athletes

- RCX Sports, the official operator of NFL FLAG, and U.S. Bank announced a new partnership spanning 10 NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments.

- The agreement marks the bank's expanded partnership with NFL FLAG, building on its broader relationship with the NFL as an Official Bank and Wealth Management sponsor.

- The first four tournaments will take place this fall beginning Oct. 3 in Canton, Ohio and six additional tournaments will follow in spring 2027.

ATLANTA, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RCX Sports, the official operator of NFL FLAG, and U.S. Bank today announced a new partnership spanning 10 NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments during fall 2026 and spring 2027.

The agreement marks the bank's expanded partnership with NFL FLAG, building on its broader relationship with the NFL as an Official Bank and Wealth Management sponsor. U.S. Bank also recently announced a $250,000 partnership with national nonprofit GENYOUth, in collaboration with the NFL, to donate NFL FLAG-In-School kits to 400 schools across the country. By equipping educators to introduce flag football during the school day, the partnership helps more students experience the game and build a foundation for continued participation.

"NFL FLAG brings athletes, families and neighbors together, and these regional tournaments give us an opportunity to support our local communities," said Sekou Kaalund, head of Branch and Small Business Banking at U.S. Bank. "By pairing the excitement of the game with engaging financial education, we can help young people build skills and confidence that will serve them on the field, in their communities and throughout their lives."

The first four NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments will take place this fall in the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Chargers' markets, beginning Oct. 3 in Canton. Team USA flag football star and U.S. Bank flag ambassador Izzy Geraci will be on hand during the Chargers' regional tournament to help continue to grow the sport.

U.S. Bank will sponsor six additional tournaments in spring 2027, with locations and dates to be announced.

Flag football has become one of the fastest-growing youth sports in the country. In fact, the number of 6-to-12-year-olds playing has increased by 38 percent, to more than 1.5 million, since 2015. And NFL FLAG is leading the way as the largest flag football league in the U.S., with more than 1,800 leagues in 50 states.

Across the tournament series, U.S. Bank employee volunteers will engage athletes and families through on-site activations including U.S. Bank-branded vehicles, a football toss, financial education games, prizes, and content across NFL FLAG digital channels, while also connecting with local league operators and flag football communities.

"The continued growth of flag football is strengthened by partners who share our commitment to creating opportunities for athletes and communities," said Brian Flinn, NFL SVP of Global Flag Football. "U.S. Bank's investment in NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments is proof of the momentum behind the sport and the growing commitment from organizations that want to help shape its future. As participation continues to expand and new pathways emerge for athletes at every level, partnerships like this help us deliver meaningful experiences today while building a stronger future for the game."

The partnership builds on RCX Sports' work bringing national partners into youth sports at the local level as participation continues to grow and the sport creates new opportunities for young athletes nationwide. Through NFL FLAG, RCX Sports supports a network of more than 2,000 locally operated leagues and serves nearly 1 million youth athletes across all 50 states. NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments are an important part of that network, connecting local communities and giving young athletes access to high-quality experiences that can keep them engaged in sports.

"At RCX Sports, we want to work with partners that understand what youth sports mean to the athletes, families and communities we serve," said Izell Reese, founder and CEO of RCX Sports. "U.S. Bank understands the role youth sports can play in bringing communities together, and we're excited to welcome them to NFL FLAG and these regional tournaments across the country. As flag football continues to expand at the youth, high school, collegiate and international levels, creating more opportunities for athletes to play and stay connected to the game will be critical to supporting its next generation of growth."

Additional details about the bank's programming and on-site presence will be announced ahead of each tournament.

About U.S. Bank

Headquartered in Minneapolis, U.S. Bancorp is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. Our three major business lines serve 15 million clients globally, and our team of nearly 70,000 people invest our hearts and minds to power human potential every day. Ranked 110th on the Fortune 500, we are deeply respected for our culture and long-term stewardship and admired for our diversified business mix and product capabilities.

About NFL FLAG

NFL FLAG is an NFL-licensed property of more than 2,000 locally operated leagues and nearly 1 million youth athletes across all 50 states. NFL FLAG is a fun and accessible program available for girls and boys ages 5-17. Players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football as well as lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. RCX Sports is the official operator of NFL FLAG.

About RCX Sports

RCX Sports is the leader in youth sports experiences, operating and partnering with leagues, events and brands to engage and empower the next generation of athletes. As the official youth sports operator for the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLS, and MLB. RCX Sports delivers officially licensed uniforms, comprehensive resources and full support to empower league operators to create high-quality youth sports experiences in their communities. Committed to making youth sports accessible and inclusive, RCX Sports creates opportunities for athletes to play and benefit from the transformative power of sports. For more information, visit rcxsports.com.

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