Legendary Sports Reporter Ulli Potofski Dies at 73
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Legendary German Sports Reporter Ulli Potofski Dies at 73
Ulrich “Ulli” Potofski, the beloved voice of German football for over four decades, has passed away at the age of 73. Potofski died on August 3, 2025, after a short but serious illness, confirmed by his brother Norbert and his former wife Monika .
A Passionate Career from Humble Beginnings
Born in Gelsenkirchen on July 7, 1952, Potofski originally trained as a chef after finishing middle school. Yet his passion for sports—and storytelling—led him to Radio Luxembourg in 1970, where he began what would become an iconic career .
In the 1970s, he also explored entertainment as a puppeteer, pop singer, and disc jockey. In 1979, he joined WDR radio as a sports reporter, then moved in 1984 to RTL plus, where he served as sports editor until 1992. He made a national name for himself as host of the football show “Anpfiff” from 1988 to 1992, winning a Bambi award in 1989 for his popularity with viewers .
From RTL to Sky: A Voice for the Bundesliga
After “Anpfiff” ended, Potofski remained on RTL, covering tennis, ski jumping, and major sporting events. He hosted “Ein Tag wie kein anderer” in 1993, and later fronted “Auf Schalke” on DSF from 1998 to 2002 .
From 2006 onwards, he reported extensively for Premiere, later Sky, covering Bundesliga matches, the DFB-Pokal, and tennis tournaments including Wimbledon. He presented the Sky preview program “Mein Stadion” from 2011 to 2015, and remained a respected sideline reporter well into his 70s—extending his contract in 2023 because “his passion for soccer was still burning” .
Podcast Pioneer and Versatile Media Figure
Since 2019, Potofski hosted the daily football podcast “Herz, Seele, Ball”, even recording from hospital shortly before his death. Beyond television and radio, he founded Napasai Media in 2007 with Alexander von der Groeben, producing audiobooks, commercials, and youth fiction.
He authored several youth soccer novels such as Locke bleibt am Ball, Locke stürmt los, and others published by German houses including Random House and BVK Verlag .
Ulli Potofski Dies: Tributes Pour In
News of “Ulli Potofski dies” prompted an outpouring of grief and fond memories across the football and media world. A fan on Reddit summed it up well:
“A piece of childhood… I loved his relaxed, calm, polite, but always enthusiastic manner. He was my feel‑good reporter… Rest in peace Ulli, you’re missed.” .
Broadcasters and clubs also paid tribute. At Sky, Executive VP Charly Classen called him “a real one‑off—with a passion for sport, an unmistakable voice and the ability to touch people with warmth and enthusiasm.” Networks described him as a creative, humorous pioneer in sports journalism whose commentary turned matches into gripping narratives .
The Legacy of “Ulli Potofski dies”
Potofski’s impact lies in his distinctive blend of knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendliness. For many fans, he was not just a commentator but the emotional heartbeat of matchdays. He combined journalistic professionalism with storytelling flair, making every broadcast feel personal.
His legacy spans multiple generations: from early radio days at Radio Luxembourg, to defining private TV football coverage in the 1980s and 1990s, to evolving into podcasts and digital media. Ulli Potofski dies, but his voice lives on—captured in recordings, podcasts, books, and the memories of an entire football-loving nation.
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