It is ironic that Jaclyn DeAugustino is one of the hosts of CBS Sports HQ Spotlight because not enough of a spotlight has been shone on her talent. DeAugustino is one of the network’s rising stars. Excelling not only on HQ Spotlight but also as a sideline and general assignment reporter covering a variety of sports.
DeAugustino is no overnight success story. On the contrary, it has been a decade-plus climb to the national scene for the University of Florida graduate. She began her professional career as a sports reporter for GatorVision, producing and editing feature stories for FOX Sun Sports. From there, she moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where she worked at WLOS ABC 13 as a news producer, reporter, and web content creator.
At WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, she served as a news anchor and reporter before segueing into a stint as a Cincinnati Bengals cheerleader and in-game host. DeAugustino also worked as an in-game host for the Cincinnati Reds before moving to WESH in Orlando as an anchor and reporter.
Since September 2022, she has been a regular contributor to a number of CBS Sports productions. DeAugustino brings a bright, positive style to viewers and works well with a talented group of CBS Sports Network co-hosts, including Jenny Dell, Chris Hassel, Amanda Guerra, Katie Mox, Claudio Bellofatto, and others.
A big part of DeAugustino’s success is her sincerity. She brings honesty and integrity to all of her work. She has ridden no coattails, starting as an intern at WESH and Golf Channel before reinventing herself time and again.
Her versatility was on display this past week as she co-hosted two editions of HQ Spotlight amid the fervor of the NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Final, World Cup, WNBA season, and NFL preseason. Alongside co-host Tommy Tran, DeAugustino led a panel that included Ashley Nicole Moss and Brad Botkin.
The quartet revisited the Knicks’ dramatic Game 4 win, highlighted by OG Anunoby’s epic tip-in basket. Moss is a lifelong Knicks fan, and DeAugustino tapped into that enthusiasm to open the show. She emphatically exclaimed that Anunoby would not have to pay for a beer in New York for the rest of his life.
There is definitely an underlying fan-centric approach to DeAugustino’s style. Her exchanges and interjections are instinctive and natural, not forced or canned. Her background in multiple levels of media and performance allows her to excel in any forum. Tran is the ultimate classically trained TV professional. Moss brings charisma along with a contemporary edge, while Botkin is a writer first with deep basketball knowledge.
DeAugustino works exceptionally well with this eclectic crew. She is a sports media chameleon. Asking great questions, maintaining a strong pace, and getting the most out of the people around her. DeAugustino plays no role. She is unapologetically herself and uses her lively personality to bring out the best in her colleagues.
As the program progressed, DeAugustino conducted a strong interview with CBS hockey analyst Pete Blackburn discussing the Las Vegas-Carolina Stanley Cup Final. If you watch her in action, you can see traces of other accomplished sportscasters. A unique combination of Hannah Storm’s experience, Molly Qerim’s preparedness, and Elle Duncan’s humor.
She asked Blackburn a thoughtful question about Carolina’s goaltending situation as the team moved from starter Frederik Andersen to the unheralded Brandon Bussi, who ultimately became one of the stories of the series.
Another of DeAugustino’s strengths is her segment intros and outros. As the topic shifted to football and AFC South predictions, she provided a terrific recap of 2025 before leading into a discussion with NFL experts John Breech and JP Acosta.
Not limited to studio hosting, DeAugustino continues to expand both her profile and resume. She has reported from NFL preseason camps and hosted the annual AAU Sullivan Awards presentation at the New York Athletic Club. Which honors the nation’s top Olympic athletes for their accomplishments on the field and character off it. DeAugustino has also cultivated a strong social media presence. Like many on-air personalities, she has given fans a glimpse into her personal life, sharing moments from her travels, workouts, and recent wedding.
Surrounded by terrific talent at CBS Sports Network, DeAugustino has flown somewhat under the radar. But that is changing with each assignment, most notably HQ Spotlight.
The show, in particular, allows her to spread her wings across the sports landscape. DeAugustino knows her stuff and is always ready to pivot from one sport to another without missing a beat. In a subsequent edition of HQ Spotlight, she was once again paired with Moss. However, this time joined by co-host Jordan Giorgio. The trio reflected on the Knicks’ first NBA championship since 1973, including a nice interview with former NBA player Avery Johnson.
DeAugustino once again tapped into Moss’ Knicks fandom, giving viewers both a media and fan perspective on the subject.
DeAugustino was at her best with a comprehensive recap of Carolina’s clinching Game 6 victory in the Stanley Cup Final. She discussed the emotions of Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour as video showed him breaking down in tears following the win. DeAugustino also noted that it was Carolina’s first Stanley Cup championship since 2006, when Brind’Amour served as team captain. That insight led into an interview with NHL analyst Pierre McGuire. The pair expertly discussed Carolina veteran Jordan Staal and once again referenced Bussi, the journeyman goaltender turned Stanley Cup champion.
One of DeAugustino’s strengths as an interviewer is knowing when not to talk. She actually listens to what a guest is saying, reacts visually, and then follows up based on the previous answer. It might sound simple, but when done well, it is sports media high art.
DeAugustino not only brings her own enthusiasm, but she also draws that same energy from her interview subjects. She had an informative conversation about the ongoing World Cup with Michael Lahoud. A former professional player and current broadcaster for CBS Sports Golazo Network. Later, she pivoted back to football with a look at the AFC West.
DeAugustino always does her homework and is never caught off guard by the subject matter or where an interview might go. She does not simply skim over a topic and ask trite questions. Instead, she goes beyond the surface with thoughtful inquiries that earn the respect of her guests.
She continued that trend in a conversation with golf analyst Mark Immelman while previewing the U.S. Open. The duo discussed several of the tournament’s biggest names and their chances of winning at Shinnecock Hills this weekend. DeAugustino moves from basketball to hockey to football to soccer to golf with the same light, easygoing demeanor.
The “Jaclyn of All Trades” pun may be a bit hokey, but for this resourceful, well-versed, and accomplished host and reporter, it is entirely accurate.
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John Molori is a weekly columnist for Barrett Sports Media. He has previously contributed to ESPNW, Patriots Football Weekly, Golf Content Network, Methuen Life Magazine, and wrote a syndicated Media Blitz column in the New England region, which was published by numerous outlets including The Boston Metro, Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, and the Eagle-Tribune. His career also includes fourteen years in television as a News and Sports Reporter, Host, Producer working for Continental Cablevision, MediaOne, and AT&T. He can be reached on Twitter @MoloriMedia.
