aout-20260804

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

________________________________________________________

FORM 8-K

________________________________________________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 4, 2026

________________________________________________________

American Outdoor Brands, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

________________________________________________________


Delaware	001-39366	84-4630928
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1800 North Route Z Columbia, Missouri		65202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (800) 338-9585

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

________________________________________________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


o			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading
Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, Par Value $0.001 per Share

AOUT

The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers..

On August 4, 2026, Kevin D. Leary was appointed to our Board of Directors to serve for a term expiring at our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Mr. Leary will serve as an independent director and has been appointed to the Compensation Committee and Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors. Mr. Leary is Chief Executive Officer of Hallador Investment Advisors, an SEC-registered investment advisor and family office focused on long-term value creation, where he is responsible for overall firm strategy, capital allocation, and oversight of a diversified investment portfolio across public and private markets. He has been at Hallador Investment Advisors since 2015, serving as Chief Executive Officer since 2021; President from 2018 until 2021; and Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Investment Analyst from 2015 until 2018. Throughout his career, Mr. Leary has advised on corporate strategy, executive compensation, and governance practices for public and private companies in a range of industries. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tahoe Forest Products, a private forest products company, a position he has held since 2022. He is a director of EarLens Corporation, a private medical technology company, where he is Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit Committee. From 2018 until its July 2026 sale to Analog Devices, Mr. Leary was a director of Empower Semiconductor, a private semiconductor company, where he served as Chair of the Audit Committee, and previously as Chair of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Leary was a director of Navitas Semiconductor from 2018, until its initial public offering in 2021. Previously, Mr. Leary held positions with global accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP and investment firm Spitfire Capital LLC.

Mr. Leary will receive compensation for services as a director of our company consistent with our director compensation program, as described in our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 12, 2025. Mr. Leary will enter into our standard form of indemnification agreement filed as Exhibit 10.15 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 26, 2020.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Leary and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Leary was selected as a director. There are no transactions involving Mr. Leary that would be required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On August 6, 2026, we issued a press release announcing the matters described herein. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto is intended to be furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)Exhibits.


Exhibit Number						Description
99.1						Press release from the Registrant, dated August 6 , 2026, entitled “American Outdoor Brands Appoints Kevin D. Leary to Board of Directors”
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


			AMERICAN OUTDOOR BRANDS, INC.

Date:	August 6, 2026	By:	/s/ H. Andrew Fulmer
			H. Andrew Fulmer Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary


			Exhibit 99.1
			1800 N Route Z
			Columbia, MO 65202
			(800) 338-9585
			NASDAQ: AOUT

Contact:

Liz Sharp, VP, Investor Relations

[email protected]

(573) 303-4620

American Outdoor Brands Appoints

Kevin D. Leary to Board of Directors

COLUMBIA, Mo., August 6, 2026 – American Outdoor Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: AOUT), an innovation company that provides product solutions for outdoor enthusiasts, today announced that Kevin D. Leary has been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective August 4, 2026. Mr. Leary will serve as an independent director and has been appointed to the Board’s Compensation Committee and Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee.

Mr. Leary is Chief Executive Officer of Hallador Investment Advisors, an SEC-registered investment advisor and family office focused on long-term value creation, where he is responsible for overall firm strategy, capital allocation, and oversight of a diversified portfolio of public and private investments.

"We are pleased to welcome Kevin to the American Outdoor Brands Board," said Barry Monheit, Chairman of the Board. "Kevin brings deep experience in investment management, capital allocation, corporate finance, and governance, along with the perspective of a longstanding large shareholder and avid outdoor enthusiast. As we continue to advance our strategy – investing in innovation, growing our portfolio of brands, pursuing disciplined M&A opportunities, and maintaining a strong balance sheet – I believe his insights and experience will strengthen our Board and management team as we continue creating long-term value for our shareholders."

Mr. Leary has been with Hallador Investment Advisors since 2015 and has served as its Chief Executive Officer since 2021. He previously served as the firm’s President and, before that, as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Investment Analyst. Throughout his career, he has advised public and private companies on corporate strategy, executive compensation, and governance matters. Mr. Leary currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tahoe Forest Products, a private forest products company, and as a director of


			Exhibit 99.1
			1800 N Route Z
			Columbia, MO 65202
			(800) 338-9585
			NASDAQ: AOUT

EarLens Corporation, a private medical technology company, where he chairs the Compensation Committee and serves on the Audit Committee. He previously served as a director of Empower Semiconductor until its sale to Analog Devices in July 2026 and as a director of Navitas Semiconductor prior to its initial public offering. Earlier in his career, Mr. Leary held positions with Grant Thornton LLP and Spitfire Capital LLC.

About American Outdoor Brands, Inc.

American Outdoor Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: AOUT) is an innovation company that provides product solutions for outdoor enthusiasts, including hunting, fishing, camping, shooting, meat processing, outdoor cooking, and personal security and personal defense products. The Company produces innovative, high-quality products under brands including BOG®; BUBBA®; Caldwell®; Crimson Trace®; Frankford Arsenal®; Grilla®; Hooyman®; Imperial®; LaserLyte®; Lockdown®; MEAT! Your Maker®; Old Timer®; Schrade®; Tipton®; Uncle Henry®; and Wheeler®. For more information about all the brands and products from American Outdoor Brands, Inc., visit aob.com.