NBA and NHL teams battle delays as nationwide FAA ground stop disrupts weekend sports travel

Millions of people across the nation are trying to figure out how to get from A to B in the wake of a nationwide FAA ground stop — only the second since 9/11 — and that includes some professional teams.

Obviously, teams are always traveling, but that's especially true ahead of the weekend.

The travel interruption comes on the eve of a full college football slate and as NFL teams prepare to travel for Sunday’s games.

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Planes wait on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport, New York on November 13, 2026. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a ground stop at all US airports due to communications problem. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images) ( )

Additionally, both the NHL and NBA have had teams impacted by the stoppage.

There were nine games scheduled for Friday in the NBA and five for Saturday, with some running into issues.

According to the Associated Press, the Brooklyn Nets were trying to get from New Orleans to Memphis when their flight was halted. Coincidentally, the Memphis Grizzlies are also in New Orleans for a Friday night game against the Pelicans.

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: A person looks at a departures board showing delays and cancellations at LaGuardia airport on November 13, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday ordered a nationwide ground stop on all departing flights "due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety."(Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images) ( )

The Grizzlies were one of a few teams scheduled to fly out on Friday night after their games. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls had planned to do the same, while the Detroit Pistons managed to fly to Miami earlier on Friday and made it there with no issues.

Meanwhile, in the NHL, there are just four teams in action on Friday, with two games on the schedule. None of them play on Saturday, but the other 28 teams in the league do.

TOPSHOT - Planes wait on the tarmac at Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, on November 13, 2026. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a ground stop at all US airports. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP via Getty Images) ( )

Fortunately, most made it to their destinations before everything shut down, but the San Jose Sharks were not quite as lucky.

The team's flight to Utah for a Saturday night game against the Mammoth did not get out in time.

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Of course, once flights start up again, there are likely to be delays, meaning more travel headaches could be ahead for teams across sports.

This is a developing story. OutKick will provide updates as more information becomes available.