Max Basheer, the visionary administrator who shaped South Australian football and paved the way for AFL teams in the state, passed away on September 15, 2025, at age 98. His death marks the end of an era for Aussie rules fans who owe much of the game’s national footprint to his tireless work.
A Lifetime of Service to the Game
Born on May 9, 1927, to Lebanese Druze immigrants, Basheer grew up in Adelaide and attended Prince Alfred College, where he first kicked a footy. He honed his skills as a rover for Adelaide University in the SA Amateur Football League during the 1950s, even representing the state at amateur level.
A denied SANFL playing career—North Adelaide wouldn’t clear him to Sturt—didn’t dim his passion. Instead, Basheer channeled it into administration. He started as honorary solicitor for the SA Amateur Football League in 1954 and joined the SANFL as a commissioner in 1962.
His legal background proved invaluable. Admitted to the bar in 1951 after graduating from the University of Adelaide Law School, Basheer practiced for nearly four decades at Povey Waterhouse & Basheer, rising to senior partner. He retired from Duncan Basheer Hannon in 2019 at 92, but his football legacy endured.
Key Milestones in Basheer’s Football Journey
Basheer’s rise in the SANFL was meteoric. Appointed senior vice president in 1967, he played a pivotal role in the 1971 decision to build Football Park at West Lakes as the league’s headquarters—a move that included installing lights after a six-year battle and a Royal Commission.
He became SANFL president in 1978, serving until 2003—the longest tenure in the league’s history. During this period, he chaired the SA Football Commission from 1990 to 2003, steering the organization through financial crises and ensuring its stability.
His crowning achievements? Orchestrating South Australia’s entry into the AFL. When Port Adelaide inked a secret deal with the VFL/AFL in 1990, Basheer fought back, insisting the SANFL own the state’s first license. This led to the birth of the Adelaide Crows in October 1990, with Basheer chairing the interim board to launch them for the 1991 season. Port Adelaide followed in 1997.
Basheer also championed broader reforms, like ending the “six o’clock swill” through a 1966 royal commission on liquor laws, modernizing SA’s pub culture around footy.
Tributes Pour In from Football Royalty
The football world moved quickly to honor Basheer. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon called him “the primary figure in ensuring the off-field strength and financial stability of the game in South Australia,” noting his 60+ years of service.
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas hailed Basheer as a man who left an “indelible mark on our sporting culture,” crediting him with the Adelaide Oval’s Max Basheer Stand and his 2005 induction as the first South Australian administrator into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Adelaide Crows chairman John Olsen, a former premier, declared, “The Adelaide Football Club would not exist if not for the determination, resilience and tireless work of Max Basheer.” Port Adelaide echoed the sentiment, praising his 50+ years shaping the SANFL.
On X, reactions flooded in. Former SA Premier Mike Rann remembered Basheer as a “great champion of SA Footy” and “wonderful raconteur” admired by leaders like Don Dunstan. News outlets like 7NEWS Adelaide and The Advertiser shared videos and stories, with fans mourning a “football giant” who battled the VFL, AFL, and even Sir Donald Bradman.
Kevin Sheedy, a fellow Hall of Famer, lauded Basheer’s ego-free leadership: “Max put his pride in South Australian football ahead of his ego.” Ross Oakley, ex-VFL boss, recalled marathon negotiations over drinks, calling Basheer “one out of the box.”
Awards and Enduring Legacy
Basheer’s contributions earned top honors. He received SANFL Life Membership in 1972, the Order of Australia in 1988 for services to football, and the Australian Sports Medal. In 1996, he became the first non-Victorian AFL Life Member. His SA Football Hall of Fame induction came in 2003.
The Max Basheer Reserve near Football Park (now a training oval until 2015) and the Adelaide Oval stand bear his name—a fitting tribute to a man who turned crises into triumphs.
For U.S. readers dipping into Aussie rules via streaming or expat communities, Basheer’s story highlights the sport’s gritty evolution from state leagues to a national powerhouse, much like how NFL commissioners built America’s gridiron empire.
Remembering a True Titan
Max Basheer leaves daughters Jayne and Ann, plus a football family spanning generations. The SANFL flag flies at half-mast over Adelaide Oval, a symbol of the void he leaves.
As SA Football Commission chair Rob Kerin said, “When we remember those who have had such profound impact off the field, there are few others like Max.” His vision ensured Aussie rules thrives Down Under— a legacy that will inspire for decades.
Rest in peace, Max. You’ve earned your place in the grand final of legends.