Controversial businessman and former Sydney Swans owner Geoffrey Edelsten dies

The ABC understands controversial Australian businessman Geoffrey Edelsten has died aged 78 in Melbourne.

Mr Edelsten was the former owner of the Sydney Swans football club and a number of 24-hour GP superclinics and was a high-profile figure in the 1980s known for a flamboyant lifestyle.

He is understood to have died this afternoon at his apartment on St Kilda Road.

Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious and will prepare a report for the coroner.

Mr Edelsten was struck off the NSW medical register in 1988 for over-billing. He was later jailed for paying a hitman to assault a former patient.

Two-time Brownlow medallist Greg Williams was one of the Swans’ star players when Mr Edelsten owned the club.

He said he owed a lot to Mr Edelsten.

“He was a great guy with a great heart and he loved the Swans, even though he barracked for Carlton,” Williams told Melbourne’s 3AW.

“He loved football and he couldn’t have looked after me any better than he did.

“I loved Dr Edelsten. [For] all the blokes who played for the Swans, I’m sure there’s great memories there.”