San Francisco 49ers fans have been left fearing the worst even before the Super Bowl got underway after spotting Taylor Swift and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in conversation in the stands.
The hugely popular singer has brought a whole new audience to the NFL this season through her budding relationship with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce.
The 'Taylor Swift effect' has seen a surge in viewership figures and the Chiefs have also benefitted with a huge increase in merchandise sales.
It's something that Goodell admitted this week the sport as a whole has benefitted from all year long.
"Having the ‘Taylor Swift Effect’ is also a positive,” he said.
Taylor Swift spoke with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell
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“Obviously, it creates a buzz. It creates another group of young fans, particularly young women that are interested in seeing, ‘Why is she going to this game? Why is she interested in this game?’
"Besides Travis, she is a football fan, and I think that’s great for us.”
Whether Swift was going to make it to the Super Bowl was a huge question among fans as she was playing a concert in Japan on Saturday evening.
But her flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles was tracked by thousands online with she was seen arriving at the Allegiant Stadium a few hours before kick-off.
Swift then settled into her box in the stadium to get ready for the action and she was then briefly joined by Goodell as well.
The pair were seen in deep conversation at one stage with 49ers fans worried what it meant for their chances.
One person noted: "The fix is in."
Another person posted: "'I’ll notify your security at the five min mark. So you can make your way down to the field for the on field celebration'. #rigged"
A third simply wrote: "RIGGED."
Taylor Swift fans are in the stands
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A fourth said: "This is gonna be so rigged."
Another moaned: "We are f***ed!!! The fix is in."
Goodell was asked earlier this week about the conspiracy theory that Swift's presence was all part of the NFL's secret script for the season.
“I don’t think I’m that good a scripter or anybody on our staff,” he said.
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The Allegiant Stadium hosts the Super Bowl this year
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“Listen, there is no way that I could have scripted that one, let’s just put it that way …
"She’s a remarkable performer. She knows great entertainment.
"I had the opportunity to go to two of her concerts with our girls and my wife.
"She’s the best of the best, and so having her come to NFL games, to have her be a part of that is nothing but a positive.”
