As with most things in life, it comes down to presentation. If Mr BB had jokingly asked if there was a bubble pool rather than 'ask' for one to be developed perhaps some viewpoints would be different. (Could he have been angling, knowing he wouldn't be eliminated and thus eligible for the pool?)
Certainly this should be discussed when the FT sits down .. not when you get to the bubble point IMO. Some casinos/rooms don't allow 'deal' discussions until they are applicable, so that can be an issue, yes. But I've never heard of a casino swashing a bubble payment discussion.
My first tournament cash ever there was a chop talk at 4 left. I told them I didn't know what they meant. I knocked out a guy in the last hand before a break and the other two basically hounded me the whole break on how a chop worked. (Everyone gets paid, then goes into the bowling alley and chops up the cash) I told them I wanted to play it out ... they weren't happy. So first hand after break they both go all-in and basically chip dump me into 2nd place money ... that'll teach me to take their 'deal' next time!!
GL
PS ... No, you weren't out of line. But I will say that it can be personal, even though it shouldn't be.
PSS ... I know of a big stack refused a chop when they asked him to give up $700 of 'his' $5200 1st place. Things didn't go well after that. He lost some pots, the table then refused 'his' chop offer and he was the next one out of the tournament ... obv for much less than $4500.