"Times have changed since I first became involved in negotiations on behalf of the Football League in 1986 when the BBC paid £35,000 per year to cover the game nationally. Back then, there was little competition with commercial radio stations only just starting."
Bates added: "Radio Leeds has a smaller catchment area compared to the potential six million people that Yorkshire Radio can reach, so we went with them.
"Whenever you make a change, it inevitably upsets someone. People are saying things like 'I don't have a digital radio and I can't get digital radio in my car'. Well, a digital radio can be bought as cheaply as £14.95 and it is also possible to plug a digital radio in as you would when charging your mobile in the car."
A BBC spokesperson said: "We are deeply saddened that we will no longer be able to provide exactly the same service to fans as we have in previous years.
"BBC Head of Region Helen Thomas is currently working on ways to continue pre and post match coverage - including comments and analysis with fans and regular match reports - following hundreds of emails into the BBC from concerned fans. She is keen to carry on negotiations with the club at their convenience and stresses her door is always open."