Shelly Sterling supports Andy Roeser’s leave of absence

Clippers co-owner Shelly Sterling said she suppored the NBA’s announcement that team president Andy Roeser would take an indefinite leave of absence, effectively removing him from control of the Clippers.

“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,” Sterling said in a statement. “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.”

Roeser has been the Clippers’ president since 1986. His bid to stay with the team was jeopardized by a statement he released defending co-owner Donald Sterling regarding controversial comments Sterling made about blacks.

Shelly Sterling is working with the NBA in the search for a new CEO of the Clippers after her husband was given a lifetime ban from the league.