Abbi Bennett Joins CBS Austin Sports Team
The award-winning journalist takes over the role following the departure of former anchor Darby Brown.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Football
Abbi Bennett has officially joined CBS Austin as a sports anchor and reporter. She steps into the role after the departure of long-time station anchor Darby Brown, who left for a position in Phoenix.
Why it matters
The change in personnel marks a significant shift in the local sports coverage landscape as the station adjusts its broadcasting team. The recruitment of an award-winning talent follows a period of transition in the local media market.
Bennett served for three years at FOX21 News and worked as a freelance reporter at NBC 5 for nearly a year. She holds two back-to-back Best Sportscaster awards from the Colorado Broadcasters Association.
The players
Abbi Bennett
She is a broadcast journalist and reporter who previously worked in Colorado and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Darby Brown
She is a former sports anchor at CBS Austin who transitioned to a new role at a news station in Phoenix.
CBS Austin
This is a local television station that provides news and sports coverage to the Austin metropolitan area.
The details
Bennett announced her new position at the Austin station via Instagram, which was publicly acknowledged by her predecessor. She is a 2022 graduate of the University of Oklahoma who brings extensive experience from her previous roles in Colorado and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Timeline
Abbi Bennett earned her degree from the University of Oklahoma in 2022.
Bennett received back-to-back Best Sportscaster awards during 2023 and 2024.
She worked as a freelance sports anchor for NBC 5 from November 2025 through September 2026.
Darby Brown concluded her time at CBS Austin in September 2026.
Abbi Bennett announced her new role with the network in October 2026.
Season Trajectory
This staffing change reflects a broader movement of broadcast talent between major regional markets. The station aims to maintain competitive sports coverage standards by integrating award-winning journalists into their primary reporting rotation.
Local viewers should expect a change in the primary voice reporting on Austin sports throughout the upcoming broadcast season. The transition shifts the internal roster at the station, altering the distribution of reporting duties for local games.
The takeaway
Following career shifts in local media highlights the importance of professional accolades in securing anchor roles. Viewers can watch for the introduction of new reporting styles as Bennett begins her tenure in the Austin market.
Further reading
For more news on local broadcasting and athletics, visit the Football section.
