Max Basheer

Who is Max Basheer?

Max Basheer AM is a former administrator with the South Australian National Football League. He was involved in a number of keys decisions affecting the SANFL in the 1970s – 1990's, ultimately leading to the inclusion of two South Australian sides in the Australian Football League.

Born in 1927 to Lebanese immigrants, in the early 1950s Basheer was a state amateur rover who was denied a SANFL League football career when North Adelaide refused to clear him to Sturt.

Basheer’s administrative football career began in 1954 when he served as an honorary solicitor to the South Australian Amateur Football League and as a Commissioner to the League’s Tribunal.

In what was probably his most celebrated contribution to the sport, Basheer served as vice president and president of the South Australian National Football League from 1967–2003. This was a period in which, over and above the usual administrative tasks, he oversaw:

⁕the building of Football Park;

⁕the installation of lights to the stadium – which took 6½ years and involved a Royal Commission;and

⁕the introduction of South Australia's two AFL teams, Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

The Max Basheer Reserve, which adjoins AAMI Stadium, was named in honour of Basheer’s contribution to the game.