SA football legend Max Basheer dies, aged 98
The driving force behind the founding of the Adelaide Football Club has died.
The longest-serving president of the SANFL, a leader in creating the Adelaide Football Club and a highly-respected lawyer, Max Basheer, has died.
Basheer, described by Crows chairman John Olsen as a “giant of South Australian football and sports administration”, died on Sunday night aged 98.
The sports administrator – inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2005 – was the central figure involved in the founding of the Adelaide Football Club in 1990.
He was also the president of SANFL for 25 years from 1978 to 2003, was chairman of the SA Football Commission from 1990 to 2003 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the game of Australian football in 1988. He also has a stand named after him at Adelaide Oval.
Outside of sport, Basheer was a successful lawyer and was a partner at Povey Waterhouse & Basheer from 1966 to 1992, before becoming a partner at Reilly Basheer Downs & Humphries. Later, he worked as a consultant at DBH Lawyers.
Olsen remembered Basheer for his determination in fighting for the creation of the Adelaide Football Club.
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He was SANFL president when Port Adelaide signed a heads-of-agreement with the AFL to join the competition. Basheer insisted that SA’s first AFL club be owned by the SANFL. He won that fight and the club became a reality in October 1990.
Basheer was then elected as chair of the club’s interim board and was instrumental in launching the new club for the 1991 season.
Olsen said the “Adelaide Football Club would not exist if not for the determination, resilience and tireless work of Max Basheer”.
“He was a visionary, passionate South Australian and a man of integrity, who always had the best interests of football in this state at heart,” Olsen said.
“Our club, and the broader football community, owe a great deal to Max and the service he gave over many decades.”
Current SA Football Commission chairman Rob Kerin also paid tribute to Basheer.
“The greats of our game are often remembered by their accomplishments on the field but when we remember those who have such profound impact off the field, there are few others like Max,” Kerin said.
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“Across nearly 50 years of service, including 25 as league president, Max’s selfless contribution to the league was immense; always guided by an abiding passion to strengthen and grow the game.
“He was instrumental in establishing Football Park and securing the entry of Adelaide Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Clubs into the AFL – achievements that stand as enduring testaments to his vision and leadership.
“His wisdom and friendship will be missed by many but his legacy – reflected in the naming of a stand at Adelaide Oval in his honour – will continue to live on in our great game.”
The SANFL flag above the Adelaide Oval scoreboard will be flown at half-mast from today as the league mourns his passing.
DBH managing partner Amy Nikolovski said she was “deeply saddened” by the death of Basheer.
“Max retired from Duncan Basheer Hannon in 2019 at the age of 92, but his presence, wisdom, and kindness remained felt long after,” Nikolovski said.
“To me, Max was more than a colleague, he was a mentor and friend whose generosity of spirit, warmth, and humility left an indelible mark.
“My heartfelt condolences go to Max’s family – his daughters Jayne and Ann and beloved granddaughters Sophie and Georgie, who brought him so much joy, and his loved ones. His legacy will continue to inspire all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.”
In a statement, Premier Peter Malinauskas said “few South Australians have left such an indelible mark on our sporting culture”.
“I pass on my sincere condolences to Max Basheer’s family and friends.”
Basheer is survived by daughters Jayne and Ann, and granddaughters Sophie and Georgie.
Basheer’s long tenure in South Australian football administration includes:
- Awarded SANFL League Life membership, 1972
- Inducted into South Australian Football Hall of Fame, 2003
- Inducted into Australian Football Hall of Fame, 2005
- South Australian Amateur Football League commissioner, 1954-1960
- SANFL commissioner, 1962-1966
- SANFL senior vice-president, 1967-1978
- SANFL management committee, 1969-1979; chairman, 1978-1979
- SANFL commissioner for country and junior football, 1971-1978; chairman, 1978
- Football Park finance and development committee, 1975-1989; chairman, 1978
- SANFL president, 1978-2003
- SA Football Commission chairman, 1990-2003
- Australian Football Hall of Fame committee, 1996-2002
- SA Football Hall of Fame committee, 2001-2016
- Member of the Order of Australia for services to the game of Australian football, 1988
- Awarded AFL life membership, 1996
- Adelaide Football Club Life Membership, 2003
- Sturt Football Club Life Membership, 2003
