LA Clippers President Andy Roeser taking leave of absence

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles Clippers President Andy Roeser has decided to take an indefinite leave of absence, effective immediately, as the team tries to stabilize following the controversy surrounding owner Donald Sterling.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass made the announcement Tuesday in a statement, saying Roeser's leave of absence "will provide an opportunity for a new CEO to begin on a clean slate and for the team to stabilize under difficult circumstances."

The news comes just days after the NBA announced it would appoint a new CEO to run the Clippers.

Sterling was banned for life after a recording caught him making racist remarks. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he will try to force a sale of the Clippers and urged owners to vote in favor of forcing the sale.

Rochelle Sterling, Sterling's estranged wife and co-owner of the Clippers, said she fully supports the search for a new CEO.

"I spoke with Commissioner Adam Silver this week to tell him I fully supported his recent swift and decisive action," she said in a statement."

Roeser is one of the league's longest-tenured executives, having just completed his 30th season with the team.

The Clippers lead Oklahoma City 1-0 in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.