A solicitor by profession and a former member of the Ist XVIII, Max Basheer has been involved at senior levels of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) since his appointment as Chairman of the League Commissioners 40 years ago in 1962. Five years later he became Vice-President of the SANFL and Commissioner for Country and Junior Football.
In 1972 he was appointed to the committee which established Football Park as the home of football in South Australia. Max succeeded Don Brebner (PAC 1934-1945) as President of the SANFL in 1978, and continues to serve in this position. He is also on the committees of both the AFL and South Australian Football Halls of Fame. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1988 for his services to football, was awarded the Australian Sports Medal, and is a life member of the SANFL and the AFL, becoming the first non-Victorian to receive this honour.