Pink's Bottom Line on Media, Money and Sports

Twitter and news, gas prices and lopsided games in the NFL

In today’s newsletter, I discuss Twitter users and news, gas prices and lopsided games in the NFL.

MEDIA: Twitter Users and News

A majority of Twitter users turn to the social media platform for news, according to a survey from the Pew Research Center conducted in May.

According to that survey, 69% said they use Twitter for news, and 70% say they have also turned to the service to monitor a live news event.

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Among those who use Twitter for news, 57% said that the service “increased their understanding of current news events over the last year,” and among those same users, 67% said that they have either a “great deal” or “some” trust in the accuracy of the news they receive on Twitter.

As such, Twitter appears to serve as a meaningful news source for many consumers, and it indicates that as the social media service evolves it could take on an even greater role as a news source.

MONEY: Gas Prices

Gas prices, which have been rising since the beginning of the year, declined slightly in the last week, according to AAA.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the United States now stands at $3.41, down about a penny from last week, according to AAA.

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For some context, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was about $2.12 a year ago or about 60% lower than today.

However, this week’s slight decline in prices could be short lived, and prices could soon resume their upward climb as oil supply remains tight around the world.

SPORTS: Lopsided Games in the NFL

In the NFL this past week, the margin of victory in six of the 14 games played was at least 21 points.

Notably, three Super Bowl Contenders from the NFC — the Arizona Cardinals, the Los Angeles Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — were among those of the teams that suffered those lopsided losses.

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That said, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Cardinals, Rams and Buccaneers are still among the top five teams favored to win the Super Bowl this year.

However, the results of games this weekend in the NFL show the parity in the league and suggest that many top teams could be vulnerable the rest of the regular season.

As such, look for a team that is not among the current Super Bowl favorites to emerge as a title contender very soon.

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Jeremy Pink is currently an advisor to media and fintech companies around the world. 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)