Pink's Bottom Line on Media, Money and Sports
NFL Draft viewership, labor inflation and an emerging NFL team
In today’s newsletter, I discuss viewership of the NFL Draft, labor inflation in the United States and an emerging NFL team.
MEDIA: NFL Draft Television Viewership
The NFL Draft’s first round, which aired Thursday night on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network, drew a combined 12.5 million viewers across those three networks, according to Nielsen data as reported in this story from The Hollywood Reporter (THR).
That means more viewers tuned in to the first night of the NFL Draft on linear television than did the Academy Awards a week ago.
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Notably, most viewers watched ESPN for that draft coverage followed by ABC and then the NFL Network, according to Nielsen data as reported in that THR story.
In any case, this year’s strong viewership of the NFL Draft is the latest evidence that just about any television programming related to the NFL brings in a big audience.
That’s why NFL programming has become crucial for linear television and why major networks — along with some digital outlets — recently paid so much for NFL rights fees for the next number of years.
MONEY: Employment Cost Index
Wages and salaries for workers jumped 1% in the first quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago, according to the government’s Employment Cost Index (ECI) report released Friday.
Additionally, total compensation costs for those workers, which include benefits along with wages and salaries, rose 0.9% last quarter from a year ago, according to that report.
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That ECI report clearly indicates that labor inflation is accelerating though it’s unclear whether fast rising wages and salaries are temporary or are indeed the beginning of a longer term inflationary trend.
As such, the next few ECI reports — along with the next consumer and wholesale inflation reports — will help clarify the inflation picture in the United States.
SPORTS: NFL Team to Watch
The NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, who finished third in the AFC West last season, enjoyed a stellar 2021 draft this week and now looked poised to emerge as a strong playoff team next season.
In that draft, the Chargers selected Northwestern offensive tackle Rashawn Slater with their first round pick — Slater just might be the best offensive lineman in the entire draft.
Slater will help protect Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert, who looked like a superstar during his rookie season in 2020 throwing more touchdown passes in his first season (31) than any other quarterback in NFL history.
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The Chargers also made other strong selections in the draft including Florida cornerback Asante Samuel, Jr. in the second round to help shore up the team’s secondary.
The team selected a Tennessee wide receiver Josh Palmer in the third round, and Georgia tight end Tre’ McKitty in the fourth to give Herbert two more targets for this season. (Click here to see a list of all of the draft picks of the Chargers.)
Watch out for the Chargers. They have an outstanding quarterback in Herbert and they had a great draft — they will make noise in the playoffs this year.
Jeremy Pink is currently COO of Geniecast, a leading virtual content and experience company. He is the former CEO of private-equity backed Broadcast Sports International where he helped lead the company to a successful sale and exit during his tenure there. He is also a former CNBC television executive in New York, London and Singapore.
The information contained in this communication is strictly for general informational and entertainment purposes and is not meant to be construed as financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. This communication is not a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. I am not a financial advisor or offering professional advice of any kind. Users should not act upon the content or information found within this communication without first seeking professional advice appropriate for their individual situation. Decisions based on information contained in this communication are the sole responsibility of the user, and use of this communication and its contents constitutes an explicit understanding and acceptance of the foregoing disclaimers.
(Newsletter Editor: Karina Pink)