Born on Staten Island, New York of Italian-American descent, Reali spent most of his childhood living in New Jersey, growing up in Marlboro Township. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey in 1996. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Communications and History from Fordham University. While there, he was a sportscaster for WFUV from 1997-2000 as the voice of football and men's basketball. He also was a beat reporter covering the Yankees, Mets, Giants, and Jets. In May 2000, he wrote for WPIX-TV of New York.