Thanks to plenty of star power – both on and off the field – Sunday’s NFL clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens on CBS was a huge hit with viewers, scoring a record-breaking audience for an AFC championship game.

The network says its broadcast reached an average of more than 55 million people for the Chiefs’ 17-10 victory, breaking the previous mark for an AFC title game set in 2011 when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Jets.

In addition, CBS says it was the network’s most watched non-Super Bowl program in 30 years, dating back to the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer Norway.

Meanwhile in the late window, Fox’s broadcast of the San Francisco 49ers’ 34-31 comeback over the Detroit Lions was its highest-rated non-Super Bowl game in a dozen years.

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Fox says it averaged 56.7 million viewers for the NFC championship game, the highest since 2012, when the New York Giants best the 49ers.

Super Bowl 58 is set, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers advancing from Sunday’s conference championship games. But for 30 NFL teams, the ‘offseason’ is already well into high gear. And with the regular season itself lengthening, the draft seemingly bends around the corner more quickly than ever.

The 2024 ‘Player Selection Meeting,’ which will be held in Detroit this April, should not only be top-heavy with blue chippers but also with the quarterback prospects everyone loves to parse and debate in various NFL mock drafts. (And could this be the third draft since 2018 with at least five passers taken in Round 1?)

A lot to figure out before the draft commences – like the final order, to say nothing of the combine, free agency, pro days and more – but here’s our latest first-round, 2024 NFL mock draft prognostication:

1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers): QB Caleb Williams, USC

For the second straight offseason – they traded last year’s No. 1 pick – the Bears have an opportunity to significantly improve themselves. In 2023, they opted to keep QB Justin Fields and dealt down. But this time? It feels like the play is to take Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner with the electric arm, and trade Fields, who is the superior dual-threat QB. Though moving the selection would doubtless return greater value, Williams’ ability as a passer seems too tantalizing – and it’s not like he can’t make plays with this, legs, especially in the red zone. (Williams accounted for 120 touchdowns, rushing or passing, in three collegiate seasons.) The hiring of OC Shane Waldron, who’s largely coached pocket passers with the Rams and Seahawks in recent years, also seems like a signal Chicago is about to make a change. And resetting your quarterback’s contract to a half-dozen years of contractual control would allow GM Ryan Poles and HC Matt Eberflus to continue investing heavily elsewhere in the roster.

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2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

Fairly or not, seems like a franchise reboot will extend to the offense after the Sam Howell rollercoaster rose and fell with 21 TD passes but a league-high 21 INTs in 2023 – this organization’s latest (seemingly) failed attempt to find an answer behind center. And for a team that toils an hour away from Lamar Jackson’s typical heroics, why wouldn’t you be tempted by 2023 Heisman winner Daniels, who passed for 40 TDs and nearly 4,000 yards last season while rushing for 10 scores and more than 1,100 electric yards.

3. New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

Well, Bill Belichick didn’t leave them empty-handed, this selection the highest the Pats have had since taking QB Drew Bledsoe No. 1 overall in 1993. Like Chicago, feels like New England should move on from a quarterback taken in Round 1 just three years ago – and it appears like a much more clear-cut decision, even if the deck definitely seemed stacked against Mac Jones at times. Maye’s passing production dipped from 2022 to 2023, but his size (6-4, 229), arm and mobility are doubtless going to draw (unfair) comparisons to Josh Allen … which might even influence New England’s regime just a tad given what the Buffalo star has put the Patriots through in recent years.

4. Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Arguably the best player in this draft, the 2023 Biletnikoff winner and two-time All American with the Hall of Fame bloodlines has averaged better than 1,200 receiving yards and 14 TDs over the past two seasons. Harrison might be the best product issuing from what seems like a Buckeyes receiving assembly line. And, even if speedster Marquise Brown re-signs in Arizona, it likely wouldn’t take Harrison long to emerge as QB Kyler Murray’s No. 1 target, something he didn’t really have from the wideout position following the departure of DeAndre Hopkins.

5. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Rome Odunze, Washington

At this point in time – which is to say inordinately early, even by standards of the pre-draft process – the mysteries appear to deepen at this juncture of the draft. On one hand, talented as the Bolts seem, they’ve got plentiful issues to address. On the other, who knows what new coach Jim Harbaugh – and whomever the team brings on as general manager (probably Joe Hortiz) – are going to prioritize in terms of talent acquisition, cap management and more? Yet it seems evident that supporting franchise QB Justin Herbert is going to be at the top of the list. WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both have durability issues and 2024 cap hits exceeding $30 million, each entering the final year of his contract – meaning both could be goners ahead of schedule. Quentin Johnston, a first-rounder last year, obviously has potential but also comes off an awfully quiet rookie season. Enter Odunze, who has similar size (6-3, 215) to Johnston but far more production in his final college season (92 catches, for 1,640 yards, 13 TDs). Probably not an easier way to replicate the formula of giving Herbert twin tower wideouts … but at a fraction of the cost.

6. New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers, LSU

Daniels’ primary target the past two seasons in Baton Rouge, Nabers really blossomed during a 2023 All-American campaign when he caught 89 balls for 1,569 yards and 14 TDs. He’d slot in nicely to a Giants offense that hasn’t had a legitimate No. 1 target since fellow former Bayou Bengal Odell Beckham Jr. was traded following the 2018 season. Big Blue hasn’t even had an 800-yard receiver since.

7. Tennessee Titans: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

GM Ran Carthon took an offensive lineman (Peter Skoronski) last year during his first draft. It would be perfectly logical to replicate that move for a team still trying to fill Taylor Lewan’s void – and after a season when rookie QB Will Levis endured his fair share of abuse. New HC Brian Callahan could certainly vouch for taking a player of Alt’s caliber after watching Joe Burrow repeatedly buried for years behind Cincinnati’s suspect line.

8. Atlanta Falcons: OLB Dallas Turner, Alabama

Quarterback is the glaring issue for new HC Raheem Morris and this team to solve. For now, let’s assume that doesn’t mean settling for the fourth passer off the board in April. And it’s not like this defense doesn’t need attention given its struggles to generate pressure in recent seasons and pending exits of leading sack men Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree. Turner was the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC last season while racking up 10 sacks and could easily occupy Dupree’s spot.

9. Bears: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Chicago could go in any number of directions with its second pick depending on how the board falls, including perhaps a receiver or lineman who could directly benefit Caleb Williams. However the Bears could also use help at corner – perhaps especially so if negotiations with unsigned Jaylon Johnson go sideways.

10. New York Jets: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

Legitimate case they should take the best available left tackle to safeguard QB Aaron Rodgers’ back (and Achilles). But legitimate case they should get AR8 one of the draft’s premier weapons with the game-breaking, two-time All-America and two-time Mackey Award winner. Despite being limited by an ankle injury for a good chunk of the 2023 season, Bowers had 26 TD catches during his three-year college career and averaged nearly 60 grabs for 850 yards as the rare player at his position who could dominate a game offensively. The Jets sure could use that in their passing game … even if, say, WR Davante Adams and LT Tyron Smith end up on the roster before the draft even begins.

11. Minnesota Vikings: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

Will the Vikes re-sign Kirk Cousins, 35? Even if they do, wouldn’t it be wise to take a page from the division rival Pack’s playbook and get his successor into the building? McCarthy won big in college (27-1 record) while developing into an accurate passer who rarely mad bad decisions, all traits that will make NFL evaluators take notice. Yet the 21-year-old, who was greatly assisted by the Wolverines’ defense and run game, could certainly benefit from apprenticing behind a pro like Cousins.

12. Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix, Oregon

Time was, it was unusual to see five quarterbacks in Round 1 of a given draft. But time was, it was unusual for a team to trade a boatload of picks for a veteran quarterback, grant him a $240+ million extension, then give up on him two years later. But it seems that’s where Denver currently is. Nix appears to have significantly more upside than journeyman placeholder Jarrett Stidham, not to mention the accuracy – nearly 75% in two seasons with the Ducks – Broncos coach Sean Payton values, plus having a nose for the goal line (38 rushing TDs in five college seasons).

13. Las Vegas Raiders: DE Jared Verse, Florida State

A team now coached by a linebacker can probably expect a little more focus on its defense. Also, imagine how effective Maxx Crosby might be if there was someone offenses had to account for opposite him?

14. New Orleans Saints: OL Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

There used to be fewer higher priorities in the Big Easy than O-line, especially the interior. Massive Fuaga (6-6, 334) could bolster the inside blocking immediately and perhaps shift out to his more familiar right tackle post over time.

15. Indianapolis Colts: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

If a team that historically doesn’t use the franchise tag loses WR Michael Pittman Jr. to free agency, what better way to replace him than with a player who has a similar build (6-4, 200) yet might have superior downfield burst – potentially allowing Thomas to better leverage QB Anthony Richardson’s deep arm.

16. Seattle Seahawks: DT Byron Murphy II, Texas

This team got trucked trying to defend the run last season … and that was despite the trade for pending free agent Leonard Williams that bore little fruit.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State

Getting the All-America blocker here would be a bargain. It would also be an upgrade given the penal cost-to-reliability ratio the Jags have endured with incumbent LT Cam Robinson.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

He’s got size (6-3, 190) and elite speed, attributes that could nicely complement Cincy WR Ja’Marr Chase … especially given Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are headed for the open market.

19. Los Angeles Rams: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Look who’s scheduled to make their first Round 1 selection since selecting QB Jared Goff atop the 2016 draft. When you’re not particularly good at defending the pass or pilfering them, opting for a talented corner seems like a the right way to end this drought.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT JC Latham, Alabama

A recently neglected line would have a nice pair of long-term bookends by coupling Latham with last year’s first-rounder, Broderick Jones.

21. Miami Dolphins: DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA

No team is ever satisfied with its supply of pass rushers, especially one that lost Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips to major late-season leg injuries.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

An aging set of corners is just one reason this defense degraded so badly so quickly.

23. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns): DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

For this defense to truly live up to HC DeMeco Ryans’ standards, it needs to bolster its depth along the line.

24. Dallas Cowboys: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Even if Tyron Smith is re-signed, it likely wouldn’t be for long. One of the final All-Pac-12 performers, Morgan would bring youth to Dallas’ front while giving the team the option of keeping Tyler Smith at guard, where the former college left tackle has performed very well.

25. Green Bay Packers: OL Troy Fautanu, Washington

An interior upgrade to better set QB Jordan Love’s pocket and/or potentially brittle LT David Bakhtiari’s successor.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri

Carlton Davis III’s recent play and $14 million salary in 2024 could make him a financial target if the Bucs can slot in a comparable replacement.

27. Cardinals (from Texans): DE Bralen Trice, Washington

One of the league’s worst defenses would gladly welcome a player who can both generate pressure and set an edge.

28. Buffalo Bills: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

An older secondary is also one likely to be purged during free agency.

29. Detroit Lions: DE Chop Robinson, Penn State

Aidan Hutchinson was their only feared pass rusher in 2023. Another All-Big Ten selection could change that … with a touch of seasoning.

30. Baltimore Ravens: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

A bigger target – Coleman is roughly 6-4, 215 pounds – could be what Jackson needs entering an offseason when OBJ and Nelson Agholor are out of contract.

x-31. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

A two-time All-SEC cover guy could be made to order if K.C. can’t afford to re-sign L’Jarius Sneed.

x-32. San Francisco 49ers: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

They got by without departed RT Mike McGlinchey in 2023 yet could almost certainly do better.

x-Super Bowl 58 winner will draft 32nd

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.

Tom Brady said Tuesday his ‘TB12’ and ‘Brady’ brands merged with apparel brand ‘NoBull.’ Mike Repole, the co-founder of Vitaminwater and BodyArmour, partnered with Brady on the deal.

The deal made Brady the second largest shareholder – behind Repole – of NoBull, a sportswear company based in Massachusetts and founded in 2015. NoBull sponsored the 2023 NFL combine.

‘Tom’s ‘No BS’ attitude towards training, nutrition, wellness and winning is what makes him the person he is,’ NOBULL wrote on its website. ‘And it’s what makes NOBULL…NOBULL. Exceptional training footwear and apparel, uncompromising nutrition, and a healthy obsession with getting better every day – that’s what Tom and NOBULL’s all about.’

The deal makes Brady, who has been trying to acquire a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, a technical partner of the NFL. According to Sportico, the league’s investment arm, 32 Equity, previously invested in NoBull.

‘LET’S GO!’ Brady wrote on social media. ‘NOBULL is here.’

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‘I love the name NoBull,’ Brady said. ‘It’s so much of what we’re about … I never accepted any excuses for myself. I pushed all my teammates to be the best they could be every single day. And by the way, they pushed me back.’

NoBull’s original market was Crossfit workout gear. Now the company will have electrolytes and protein powder, for example, thanks to the infusion of Brady’s brands.

‘This is organic and natural for us,’ said Repole, who met Brady at the Kentucky Derby a few years ago and has since developed a friendship with him. ‘It’s now just merging into this great brand.’

Soccer fans around the world eagerly await Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury status for Thursday’s highly anticipated match with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.

With two days remaining until Al Nassr and Inter Miami meet in the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s availability remains in question for the match touted as “The Last Dance” against Messi. The game will air on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

Messi, 36, and Ronaldo, 38, are in the twilight of their illustrious soccer careers and continue to spark endless worldwide debate as to which star is the sport’s greatest athlete.

If this is their last match against each other, it would be a shame if Ronaldo missed it due to injury.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo play?

That’s the burning question with no definite answer as of Tuesday.

When will we know if Ronaldo plays against Messi?

Al Nassr will likely not officially announce whether Ronaldo plays against Messi and Inter Miami until it releases the starting lineup for Thursday’s match. Lineups typically come out 60-90 minutes before kickoff.

Here’s what we know about Cristiano Ronaldo’s calf injury

Al Nassr posted two YouTube videos of their training sessions this week, with Ronaldo spotted in both.

Doing what? Just walking into the facility. That’s it.

Here’s the first video with Ronaldo walking in at the seven-second mark.

And here’s the second where Ronaldo’s entrance begins the video.

After both videos hit their Ronaldo quota, they shift to Al Nassr players participating in various workouts on its practice field without Ronaldo in sight.

So, at the very least, Ronaldo has been at his team’s training facility preparing as best he can while his Al Nassr teammates train in full for Thursday’s match against Messi and Inter Miami.

What does Ronaldo’s Instagram say about his playing status?

Not much as we read the tea leaves on Ronaldo’s last two posts.

Also, Ronaldo posted a photo of himself sitting inside a tour bus in China with the caption: See you soon.

What did Ronaldo say in China last week?

Ronaldo, during a news conference last Tuesday in China, expressed regret about Al Nassr’s cancelations of two matches last week.

“As you know, I played 22 years in football and I’m the player who doesn’t have too many injuries. So, I’m really sad, because Al Nassr and myself, we come here to China to enjoy the tour,” Ronaldo said. “So, as you can see, I feel sad. I know you are sad, too, especially the people who love Cristiano. But we have to see this in a good way.

‘When I say in a good way, I mean, we [have] not canceled the game. We’re going to postpone the game. We want to be back here to your country. We will be back.”

Messi vs. Ronaldo, head-to-head history

If Ronaldo and Messi meet against Thursday, it’ll be the second exhibition match they’ve played in as many years. Ronaldo scored twice on a team of Saudi All-Stars, while Messi scored once to help Paris Saint-Germain to a 5-4 win.

Messi leads the head-to-head battle against Ronaldo in goals (22-21) and record (16 wins, 9 draws, 11 losses) across La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa and International Friendlies. But if you include last year’s exhibition, Messi and Ronaldo are tied with 23 goals each.

The cruiserweight fight, scheduled for eight rounds, will be available on DAZN, without a pay-per-view charge.

Bourland, 35, is 17-2 with six knockouts. Paul, 27, is 8-1 with five knockouts.

“It’s a new year, it’s an even better me, and I’m facing an even more experienced, seasoned boxer,’’ Paul said in a press release issued Tuesday.

Bourland, who turned pro a decade ago, has not fought since Sept. 17, 2022, when he beat Santario Martin by TKO. He has won 10 of his last 11 fights.

Paul is coming off a first-round knockout of Andre August on Dec. 15, 2023.

‘Jake Paul steps into the ring with his social media clout, but let’s not mistake followers for experience or skill,” Bourland said, according to the press release. “While he’s been busy chasing likes, I’ve been honing my craft for years, stepping into the ring and beating real boxers. On Saturday, March 2, I will shock the world and put an end to Jake Paul’s boxing career.’

Paul announced he’ll be donating the purse from the event to his nonprofit, Boxing Bullies, to renovate youth boxing gyms across Puerto Rico.

“I’m fighting for experience, not for the money,” he said, ‘and to show my love for this beautiful island I’ll be donating my entire fight purse from this event to my nonprofit Boxing Bullies to help renovate gyms across Puerto Rico.”

Soccer fans around the world eagerly await Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury status for Thursday’s highly anticipated match with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.

With two days remaining until Al Nassr and Inter Miami meet in the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s availability remains in question for the match touted as “The Last Dance” against Messi. The game will air on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

Messi, 36, and Ronaldo, 38, are in the twilight of their illustrious soccer careers and continue to spark endless worldwide debate as to which star is the sport’s greatest athlete.

If this is their last match against each other, it would be a shame if Ronaldo missed it due to injury.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo play?

That’s the burning question with no definite answer as of Tuesday.

When will we know if Ronaldo plays against Messi?

Al Nassr will likely not officially announce whether Ronaldo plays against Messi and Inter Miami until it releases the starting lineup for Thursday’s match. Lineups typically come out 60-90 minutes before kickoff.

Here’s what we know about Cristiano Ronaldo’s calf injury

Al Nassr posted two YouTube videos of their training sessions this week, with Ronaldo spotted in both.

Doing what? Just walking into the facility. That’s it.

Here’s the first video with Ronaldo walking in at the seven-second mark.

And here’s the second where Ronaldo’s entrance begins the video.

After both videos hit their Ronaldo quota, they shift to Al Nassr players participating in various workouts on its practice field without Ronaldo in sight.

So, at the very least, Ronaldo has been at his team’s training facility preparing as best he can while his Al Nassr teammates train in full for Thursday’s match against Messi and Inter Miami.

What does Ronaldo’s Instagram say about his playing status?

Not much as we read the tea leaves on Ronaldo’s last two posts.

Also, Ronaldo posted a photo of himself sitting inside a tour bus in China with the caption: See you soon.

What did Ronaldo say in China last week?

Ronaldo, during a news conference last Tuesday in China, expressed regret about Al Nassr’s cancelations of two matches last week.

“As you know, I played 22 years in football and I’m the player who doesn’t have too many injuries. So, I’m really sad, because Al Nassr and myself, we come here to China to enjoy the tour,” Ronaldo said. “So, as you can see, I feel sad. I know you are sad, too, especially the people who love Cristiano. But we have to see this in a good way.

‘When I say in a good way, I mean, we [have] not canceled the game. We’re going to postpone the game. We want to be back here to your country. We will be back.”

Messi vs. Ronaldo, head-to-head history

If Ronaldo and Messi meet against Thursday, it’ll be the second exhibition match they’ve played in as many years. Ronaldo scored twice on a team of Saudi All-Stars, while Messi scored once to help Paris Saint-Germain to a 5-4 win.

Messi leads the head-to-head battle against Ronaldo in goals (22-21) and record (16 wins, 9 draws, 11 losses) across La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa and International Friendlies. But if you include last year’s exhibition, Messi and Ronaldo are tied with 23 goals each.

Are you ready for the green flag to drop on the 2024 NASCAR season?

The NASCAR Cup Series is back in action in early February when the season kicks off with the Clash at The Coliseum exhibition race in Los Angeles before drivers and teams will trek across the country to prepare for NASCAR’s most famous race: the Daytona 500.

From there, 25 regular season races will follow as drivers battle to make the 10-race playoffs before a new champion is crowned in November.

In between, the series’ best drivers will compete in the All-Star race in May before NASCAR shuts down for two weeks in July and August while NBC televises the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Fox and Fox Sports 1 will televise the first half of the Cup season, while NBC and USA Network take over coverage in the second half.

Here is what you need to know to get ready for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season:

When does the 2024 NASCAR season begin?

The NASCAR Cup Series kicks off the weekend of Feb. 3-4 with the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The race will be held Sunday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. ET (FOX) with heat races scheduled for Saturday and last-chance qualifying preceding the race on Sunday.

When is the 2024 Daytona 500?

The 2024 Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m. ET (FOX) at Daytona International Speedway. Leading up to the race will be Daytona Speedweeks with pole qualifying on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8:15 p.m. ET (FS1) and the twin Daytona Duel races on Thursday, Feb. 16, beginning at 7 p.m. ET (FS1).

When does the 2024 NASCAR season end?

The 2024 season ends on Sunday, Nov. 10 with the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway (3 p.m. ET, NBC).

Who is the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion?

Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney won the 2023 NASCAR Championship Race and will be back in the No. 12 Ford.

Full 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule

Sunday, Feb. 4: Busch Light Clash at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, FOX, 8 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 15: Duel at Daytona, FS1, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 18: Daytona 500, FOX, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 25: Atlanta Motor Speedway, FOX, 3 p.m.

Sunday, March 3: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, FOX, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 10: Phoenix Raceway, FOX, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 17: Bristol Motor Speedway, FOX, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 24: Circuit of the Americas (Austin, Texas), FOX, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 31: Richmond Raceway, FOX, 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 7: Martinsville Speedway, FS1, 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 14: Texas Motor Speedway, FS1, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 21: Talladega Superspeedway, FOX, 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 28: Dover Motor Speedway, FS1, 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 5: Kansas Speedway, FS1, 3 p.m.

Sunday, May 12: Darlington Raceway, FS1, 3 p.m.

Sunday, May 19: All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, FS1, 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 26: Charlotte Motor Speedway, FOX, 6 p.m.

Sunday, June 2: World Wide Technology Raceway (Madison, Ill.), FS1, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 9: Sonoma Raceway, FOX, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 16: Iowa Speedway, USA, 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 23: New Hampshire Motor Speedway, USA, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 30: Nashville Superspeedway, NBC, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 7: Chicago Street Race, NBC, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 14: Pocono Raceway, USA, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 21: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 11: Richmond Raceway, USA, 6 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 18: Michigan International Speedway, USA, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 24: Daytona International Speedway, NBC, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 1: Darlington Raceway, USA, 6 p.m.

***** PLAYOFFS *****

Sunday, Sept. 8: Atlanta Motor Speedway, USA, 3 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 15: Watkins Glen International, USA, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 21: Bristol Motor Speedway, USA, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 29: Kansas Speedway, USA, 3 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 6: Talladega Superspeedway, NBC, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 13: Charlotte Roval, NBC, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 20: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 27: Homestead-Miami Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 3: Martinsville Speedway, NBC, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 10: Phoenix Raceway, NBC, 3 p.m.

The cruiserweight fight, scheduled for eight rounds, will be available on DAZN, without a pay-per-view charge.

Bourland, 35, is 17-2 with six knockouts. Paul, 27, is 8-1 with five knockouts.

“It’s a new year, it’s an even better me, and I’m facing an even more experienced, seasoned boxer,’’ Paul said in a press release issued Tuesday.

Bourland, who turned pro a decade ago, has not fought since Sept. 17, 2022, when he beat Santario Martin by TKO. He has won 10 of his last 11 fights.

Paul is coming off a first-round knockout of Andre August on Dec. 15, 2023.

‘Jake Paul steps into the ring with his social media clout, but let’s not mistake followers for experience or skill,” Bourland said, according to the press release. “While he’s been busy chasing likes, I’ve been honing my craft for years, stepping into the ring and beating real boxers. On Saturday, March 2, I will shock the world and put an end to Jake Paul’s boxing career.’

Paul announced he’ll be donating the purse from the event to his nonprofit, Boxing Bullies, to renovate youth boxing gyms across Puerto Rico.

“I’m fighting for experience, not for the money,” he said, ‘and to show my love for this beautiful island I’ll be donating my entire fight purse from this event to my nonprofit Boxing Bullies to help renovate gyms across Puerto Rico.”

Are you ready for the green flag to drop on the 2024 NASCAR season?

The NASCAR Cup Series is back in action in early February when the season kicks off with the Clash at The Coliseum exhibition race in Los Angeles before drivers and teams will trek across the country to prepare for NASCAR’s most famous race: the Daytona 500.

From there, 25 regular season races will follow as drivers battle to make the 10-race playoffs before a new champion is crowned in November.

In between, the series’ best drivers will compete in the All-Star race in May before NASCAR shuts down for two weeks in July and August while NBC televises the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Fox and Fox Sports 1 will televise the first half of the Cup season, while NBC and USA Network take over coverage in the second half.

Here is what you need to know to get ready for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season:

When does the 2024 NASCAR season begin?

The NASCAR Cup Series kicks off the weekend of Feb. 3-4 with the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The race will be held Sunday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. ET (FOX) with heat races scheduled for Saturday and last-chance qualifying preceding the race on Sunday.

When is the 2024 Daytona 500?

The 2024 Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m. ET (FOX) at Daytona International Speedway. Leading up to the race will be Daytona Speedweeks with pole qualifying on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 8:15 p.m. ET (FS1) and the twin Daytona Duel races on Thursday, Feb. 16, beginning at 7 p.m. ET (FS1).

When does the 2024 NASCAR season end?

The 2024 season ends on Sunday, Nov. 10 with the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway (3 p.m. ET, NBC).

Who is the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion?

Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney won the 2023 NASCAR Championship Race and will be back in the No. 12 Ford.

Full 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule

Sunday, Feb. 4: Busch Light Clash at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, FOX, 8 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 15: Duel at Daytona, FS1, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 18: Daytona 500, FOX, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 25: Atlanta Motor Speedway, FOX, 3 p.m.

Sunday, March 3: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, FOX, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 10: Phoenix Raceway, FOX, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 17: Bristol Motor Speedway, FOX, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 24: Circuit of the Americas (Austin, Texas), FOX, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 31: Richmond Raceway, FOX, 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 7: Martinsville Speedway, FS1, 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 14: Texas Motor Speedway, FS1, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 21: Talladega Superspeedway, FOX, 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 28: Dover Motor Speedway, FS1, 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 5: Kansas Speedway, FS1, 3 p.m.

Sunday, May 12: Darlington Raceway, FS1, 3 p.m.

Sunday, May 19: All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, FS1, 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 26: Charlotte Motor Speedway, FOX, 6 p.m.

Sunday, June 2: World Wide Technology Raceway (Madison, Ill.), FS1, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 9: Sonoma Raceway, FOX, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 16: Iowa Speedway, USA, 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 23: New Hampshire Motor Speedway, USA, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 30: Nashville Superspeedway, NBC, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 7: Chicago Street Race, NBC, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 14: Pocono Raceway, USA, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 21: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 11: Richmond Raceway, USA, 6 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 18: Michigan International Speedway, USA, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 24: Daytona International Speedway, NBC, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 1: Darlington Raceway, USA, 6 p.m.

***** PLAYOFFS *****

Sunday, Sept. 8: Atlanta Motor Speedway, USA, 3 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 15: Watkins Glen International, USA, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 21: Bristol Motor Speedway, USA, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 29: Kansas Speedway, USA, 3 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 6: Talladega Superspeedway, NBC, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 13: Charlotte Roval, NBC, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 20: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 27: Homestead-Miami Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 3: Martinsville Speedway, NBC, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 10: Phoenix Raceway, NBC, 3 p.m.