- May 1 Buzzie Bavasi, American MLB executive (Brooklyn & LA Dodgers, San Diego Padres, California Angels), dies at 93
- May 8 François Sterchele, Belgian football player (b. 1982)
- May 9 Jack Gibson, Australian rugby league footballer and coach, dies at 79
- May 11 Bruno Neves, Portuguese cyclist, dies in competition at 26
- May 15 Ray Wilson, English footballer (1966 World Cup team), dies at 83
- May 15 Robert Dunlop, Northern Irish motorcycle racer, younger brother of Joey Dunlop, dies after a crash at 47
- May 15 Tommy Burns, Scottish soccer midfielder (8 caps; Celtic, Kilmarnock) and manager (Scotland, Celtic, Kilmarnock, Reading), dies of melanoma at 51
- May 30 Boris Shakhlin, Russian gymnast (Olympic gold, 1956, 1960, 1964; World Champion, 1958; European Champion, 1955), dies at 76
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions