Jyri Backman

Jyri Backman is a Lecturer in the Department of Sports Science at Malmö University's Faculty of Learning and Society. His research specializes in the interdisciplinary field of sports science with concentrated expertise in sport management and sports law. He investigates legal complexities across all tiers of sports ecosystems—from grassroots youth programs to elite professional leagues—addressing issues like commercialization dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and fan behavior governance.

Backman's scholarly focus centers on juridification processes in sports, particularly evidenced in his analysis of football fandom in Sweden and comparative studies of Nordic ice hockey business models. His recent publications critically examine:

• Commercialization trajectories in Scandinavian elite hockey
• Cross-border league expansions (e.g., KHL's Nordic operations)
• Hybrid organizational structures in sports enterprises
• Legal management of spectator expressions

Pedagogically, he leads courses in sports law and management while supervising student research at undergraduate and advanced levels. His work contributes to institutional initiatives like Sportsforum.org and the Sport in Change research profile.