Complex sentence: In May 2009, it was revealed that the NHL had taken control of the Phoenix Coyotes from the start of the season and had known of the financial difficulties of the team prior to the start of the 2008--09 season.
Split into simpler sentences: In May 2009, it was revealed that the NHL had taken control of the Phoenix Coyotes from the start of the season. And had known of the financial difficulties of the team prior to the start of the 2008--09 season.