It appears the company was totally unaware of the implications of the name for millions of Irish who connect it to the notorious paramilitary force that terrorized Ireland during the War of Independence.

It would be the American equivalent of calling a sneaker ‘the al-Qaeda’ said one leading Irish American.

Ciaran Staunton, President of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, stated that the Nike move left him speechless.

“Is there no one at Nike able to google Black and Tan,” he asked disbelievingly.

It’s to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The pair of shoes are the Nike SB Dunk High ‘Guinness’ and the Nike SB Dunk Low Pro ‘Black & Tan,’ in reference to the deliciously good drinks but it’s clear Nike should have done its investigative work.

Do you think Nike should rename the shoe or do the Irish just have their green panties in a bunch?