"Passing of Distinctive Sports Journalist Potofski at 73"
Ulli Potofski, Legendary Sports Reporter, Passes Away at 73
Ulli Potofski, a pioneer in German sports broadcasting and a beloved figure in the world of football, has passed away at the age of 73 following a brief, severe illness. His death was confirmed by his brother Norbert and his former wife Monika Potofski to the German Press Agency.
Potofski began his career in the 1970s at the WDR, a public broadcaster in Germany. However, it was in 1984 when he joined RTL that he truly made his mark. He became the sports director and was instrumental in pioneering sports broadcasting on private television. One of his most notable achievements was arranging the first private TV contract with the German Football Association (DFB) to broadcast Bundesliga matches, significantly transforming German football coverage into a more entertaining show format.
In 1988, Potofski developed the Bundesliga show "Anpfiff" for RTL, which became a staple in German sports television. His innovative approach to sports reporting earned him the prestigious Bambi Award in 1989.
From 2006 until 2025, Potofski worked for Sky (formerly Premiere), reporting live from the football Bundesliga playing field and covering other major sports events like Wimbledon. Even at over 70 years old, he continued to work as a pitch-side reporter for Sky.
In his later years, Potofski also authored children's books, wrote novels about youth football, and hosted a daily football podcast. He participated in entertainment shows like "Let's Dance" and "Perfect Promi Dinner," and was considered one of Joachim Llambi's favorite candidates on "Let's Dance."
Charly Classen, Executive Vice President of Sport at Sky, described Potofski as a "true original" with an "unmistakable voice" and a nature that could touch people with his unpretentious, warm, and enthusiastic nature. RTL spoke of "countless special TV moments" that Potofski had created.
Potofski's voice was noticeably weakened during his podcast on July 31st, where he spoke about his current hospital stay. In 2023, he extended his contract with Sky by another two years.
Schalke, Potofski's beloved football club, will always honor his memory. His last post on Instagram on July 6th thanked his partner Nadja for her loyalty "for over ten years."
In his podcast on July 31st, Potofski talked about Schalke, Hertha, Fabian Reese, and "an exciting season" in the 2. Bundesliga. Despite his illness, his passion for sports remained unwavering until the end.
Rest in peace, Ulli Potofski. Your contributions to German sports broadcasting will never be forgotten.
[1] [2] [3] [4] (Sources for additional information about Potofski's career and accomplishments)
Sports reporter Ulli Potofski, known for his contributions to German football, spent decades transforming sports broadcasting. In the 1980s, he arranged the first private TV contract with the German Football Association (DFB) to broadcast Bundesliga matches.
