Nike Air Griffey Max 1 ‘Varsity Royal’

Ken Griffey Jr.’s signature Nike sneaker returned in a Varsity Royal colorway in March 2026, a shade that had only released twice before, including its original debut in 2009. The Air Griffey Max 1 is one of the most beloved baseball-inspired sneakers in Nike‘s history, carrying the legacy of one of the sport’s most electrifying players.

The Royal and white combination complemented the Griffey Max 1’s bold design lines and the iconic visible Air unit beautifully, making for one of the more visually striking retros of the spring season. Demand from collectors who missed previous releases was high from announcement.

The Nike Air Griffey Max 1 Varsity Royal retailed at $180 and released March 6, 2026 through Nike SNKRS and select footwear retailers.

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The Sneakers Team

The Sneakers Team is the editorial desk behind becausesneakers, founded and edited by Nick Engvall. Nick has spent more than two decades in the sneaker industry. He built the original Eastbay Blog, led the first dedicated sneaker team at Complex, ran the first UGC and seeding programs at Finish Line, was employee number nine at StockX, and served as Senior Director at Stadium Goods. He hosts the Sneaker History podcast, and his first book, Small Luxuries: Sneakers, arrives in October 2026 from Motorbooks. Release details on this site are checked against the brand's own product information before publication, and anything we cannot confirm is labelled rather than stated.

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