BLOOMINGTON - Stephen Franke, majority owner of the Fort Wayne Komets since 1990, has been a minority investor in the Bloomington PrairieThunder since the team last changed hands in 2008 and perhaps earlier.

PrairieThunder lead owner Tim Leighton confirmed Franke's financial involvement on Wednesday. Leighton told The Pantagraph that Franke aided in the transition of ownership in 2008 from Tony Lisman to the group that Leighton leads.

The Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette has reported that Franke has been financially involved with the PrairieThunder since 2007, before Leighton assumed control.

Leighton categorized Franke's involvement as "minimal."

It is uncommon for individuals to have ownership stakes in multiple franchises, but it has happened in the past. Eric Margenau owned all or parts United Hockey League teams in St. Charles, Mo., Rockford and the Quad Cities during the 1990s.

Franke "helped with the transition of ownership prior to my group," Leighton said. "Other than some financial assistance, he has not been involved in any operation decision and has not desired any continued involvement."

Franke, 60, is president and CEO of Midwest Quality Gloves Inc., Chillicothe, Mo. Attempts to reach Franke on Wednesday were unsuccessful. But he recently told the Journal-Gazette that he is an "insignificant owner."

Leighton said Franke has never been more than a minority owner in the Thunder, but he would not disclose Franke's stake.

Franke does not have a hand in day-to-day operations of the PrairieThunder, Leighton said.

"Frankly, at the end of the day, the only reason I got involved is I figured I'd get a good return on my money," Franke told the Journal Gazette. "(U.S. Cellular Coliseum) is a great building. It's a great community. The Bloomington-Normal economy has been a pretty stable economy. ... I'm an insignificant guy in this deal."

Leighton said he did not know of any other ownership stakes in professional sports that Franke has.