USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Clippers President Andy Roeser, the man who was supposed to be taking over the team after owner Donald Sterling was banned for life by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for making racist comments, will be taking an indefinite leave of absence effective immediately, the NBA announced Tuesday.

Roeser has held the team president role since 1986, handling team and business operations. He joined the Clippers in 1984 after working for the accounting firm Ernst & Young.

"This will provide an opportunity for a new CEO to begin on a clean slate and for the team to stabilize under difficult circumstances," NBA vice president of communications Mike Bass said in the news release.

Donald Sterling's wife and Clippers co-owner, Shelly Sterling, issued a statement about the decision. She is currently working with the NBA as they search for a new Clippers CEO.

"While this is a painful step, it is a necessary one as we move forward with the NBA

to make the Clippers organization one of the most professional and successful

franchises in all of sports," Shelly Sterling said. "For nearly three decades, Andy has been a crucial part of putting together our winning team, both on the court and in the front office. Everyone in the Clippers family owes him a huge debt of gratitude for his efforts.

"The team's senior management--including Doc Rivers, Ed Lamb, and Carl Lahr--are

more than capable of guiding the organization during this time. I have the utmost

confidence in them."