Max Basheer, a lawyer and one of the most influential administrators in Australian rules football, has passed away at the age of 98. For decades, he was a towering figure in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL), shaping the future of the game in South Australia.
His death was confirmed on Sunday, September 14, 2025, leaving both the sporting and legal communities in mourning. While the exact cause of death has not been disclosed, it is understood that Basheer had been in fragile health in recent months due to his advanced age.
In a heartfelt statement, the Basheer family expressed their grief, saying, “Max was not just a remarkable leader in sport and law, but also a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His passion for South Australia and for the game of football was unmatched. We take comfort in knowing his legacy will live on in the institutions he built and the countless lives he touched.”
Although he built his professional career as a lawyer, Basheer’s lasting impact was felt most deeply in football. He began working with the SANFL in the 1950s as honorary solicitor before rising to become president in 1978, a role he held for 25 years until 2003. His leadership oversaw the development of Football Park at West Lakes, the introduction of night football in Adelaide, and the historic inclusion of both the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide in the AFL.
For his immense contributions, Basheer was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1988 and later inducted into both the South Australian Football Hall of Fame and the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
“Across more than six decades in the law, Max earned the respect of colleagues, adversaries, and clients alike,” Ms Nikolovski said.
“I’ve literally grown up knowing Max virtually [since] the day I was born,” Mr Humphries said.
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