The NCAA Tournament is nearly upon us.
However, the NCAA is warning teams across the country that there could be "significant" and "major" travel issues. Teams in the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments use charter planes to fly to tournament locations. However, this year, there are far fewer charter planes available.
Teams are being encouraged to be proactive in their NCAA Tournament travel plans. Issues could persist through March and early April.
The NCAA issued the official "warning" on Monday.
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The NCAA is reminding teams that there are travel issues going around the country.
"Nationwide, significantly fewer charter aircraft are available due to several factors outside of NCAA control. The logistical challenge of moving almost all participating teams for both tournaments within 12-72 hours beginning (Selection) Sunday night is compounded by the busy spring break travel season, the national shortage of charter aircraft nationwide and the potential TSA impact of the partial government shutdown. While the NCAA assured all participating teams they will get to where they need to go safely the NCAA also advised all teams that extreme flexibility - especially the first week of the championships will be necessary."
This could be a point against NCAA Tournament expansion
With 136 teams playing in the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments, there are a lot of flights to book that first week.
As the NCAA considers expansion, this could be a point against that.
"The most overlooked massive logistical challenge to safely + smoothly staging both NCAATs are the dozens and dozens and dozens of flights in that first week of March Madness. This issue has also been one sticking point against NCAAT expansion, sources previously told CBS Sports," Matt Norlander reported.
If a lack of charter planes stops the NCAA Tournament from expanding, that's OK with us.