Abbi Bennett Joins CBS Austin Sports Desk
The former NBC 5 reporter takes over the anchor position following a departure in September.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Football
Sports viewers in Austin will see a new face on the desk at CBS Austin following the recent announcement that Abbi Bennett has joined the station as a sports anchor and reporter. She steps into the role previously held by Darby Brown, who moved to a new position in Phoenix last month.
Why it matters
Changes in local media anchor teams often shift the tone and style of sports coverage that Austinites rely on to follow the Longhorns and local high school athletics. This transition follows a period of staffing changes at the station throughout the fall.
Bennett arrives with three years of prior anchor experience at FOX21 News and two back-to-back Best Sportscaster awards from the Colorado Broadcasters Association. Her specific start date on the desk remains unannounced.
The players
Abbi Bennett
A University of Oklahoma graduate and award-winning journalist who is the new sports anchor and reporter for CBS Austin.
Darby Brown
The former CBS Austin sports anchor who recently moved to 12News in Phoenix.
CBS Austin
The local television station providing news and sports coverage to the Austin area.
The details
Bennett officially announced her transition to the Austin market via social media in October 2026. She joins the team after completing a freelance tenure at NBC 5 in Dallas-Fort Worth that concluded in September 2026. Her arrival follows the departure of former anchor Darby Brown, who transitioned to 12News in Phoenix earlier this fall.
Timeline
Abbi Bennett graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2022.
Bennett earned back-to-back Best Sportscaster awards in 2023 and 2024.
Bennett served as a freelancer for NBC 5 from November 2025 through September 2026.
Darby Brown departed CBS Austin in September 2026.
Abbi Bennett announced her new position at CBS Austin in October 2026.
The Texas Context
This transition is part of a larger trend in the 2026 local news anchor talent shuffle across Texas media markets. Her arrival marks a significant shift as stations look to reorganize their coverage teams ahead of the winter sports season.
Austinites tuning in to evening sports segments will soon see Bennett reporting from the desk and on assignment. Keep an eye on local broadcasts this month to catch her debut on the CBS Austin sports team.
The takeaway
Viewers should expect a shift in presentation style as Bennett begins her role at the station. Follow the station's evening broadcasts to see when the new reporter takes the air.
Further reading
You can find more updates on local sports coverage at Football.
