Steel Excel (SXCL) 10-Q 7 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 05, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Steel Excel Inc.	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	12,299,359
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000709804	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	$31,845	$34,293	$87,571	$73,189
Cost of revenues	23,406	22,089	62,209	45,817
Gross profit	8,439	12,204	25,362	27,372
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	6,393	6,282	18,568	16,038
Amortization of intangibles	1,985	2,635	6,616	5,028
Total operating expenses	8,378	8,917	25,184	21,066
Operating income	61	3,287	178	6,306
Interest income, net	472	81	2,341	572
Other income (expense), net	1,329	392	1,190	-81
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	1,862	3,760	3,709	6,797
Benefit from income taxes	297	1,105	2,310	15,378
Net income from continuing operations	2,159	4,865	6,019	22,175
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	484	0	-1,986
Net income	2,159	5,349	6,019	20,189
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	311	0	832	0
Discontinued operations	0	0	0	580
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$2,470	$5,349	$6,851	$20,769
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.37	$0.54	$1.88
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.04	$0	($0.12)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.41	$0.54	$1.76
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.37	$0.54	$1.87
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.04	$0	($0.12)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.41	$0.54	$1.75
Shares used in computing income (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in Shares)	12,529	12,982	12,736	11,820
Diluted (in Shares)	12,546	13,001	12,754	11,840

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$2,159	$5,349	$6,019	$20,189
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes	-349	-62	-385	-70
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes	1,245	942	4,759	560
Comprehensive income	3,055	6,229	10,393	20,679
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	311	0	832	580
Comprehensive income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$3,366	$6,229	$11,225	$21,259

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$121,914	$71,556
Marketable securities	169,495	199,128
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0	15,540	17,257
Deferred income taxes	188	188
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,317	3,482
Total current assets	313,454	291,611
Property and equipment, net	75,868	77,768
Goodwill	59,164	53,093
Intangible assets, net	33,271	39,887
Other investments	25,849	1,021
Investments in equity method investees	8,984	0
Deferred income taxes	1,696	1,696
Other long-term assets	1,785	1,419
Total assets	520,071	466,495
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	3,177	4,282
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	7,822	6,103
Current portion of long-term debt	10,000	4,000
Current portion of capital lease obligations	413	413
3/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2023	346	346
Total current liabilities	21,758	15,144
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	670	984
Long-term debt, net of current portion	57,500	9,000
Deferred income taxes	448	33
Other long-term liabilities	10,281	9,372
Total liabilities	90,657	34,533
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	14	14
Additional paid-in capital	274,765	272,786
Accumulated other comprehensive income	5,320	946
Retained earnings	206,623	199,772
Treasury stock, at cost (2013 - 2,093 shares; 2012 - 1,458 shares)	-59,433	-41,617
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity	427,289	431,901
Non-controlling interest	2,125	61
Total stockholders' equity	429,414	431,962
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$520,071	$466,495

Condensed_Balance_Sheets_Paren

Condensed Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance	$0	$0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.00	$0.00
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	14,398,000	14,365,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	14,398,000	14,365,000
Treasury Stock, Shares	2,093	1,347
Convertible Senior Subordinted Notes Due 2023 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
3/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2023	0.75%	0.75%

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income	$6,019	$20,189
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations	0	1,986
Stock-based compensation expense	1,979	857
Depreciation and amortization	14,417	10,324
Adjustment of deferred income taxes	-2,364	-15,079
Gain on sales of marketable securities	-1,834	-98
Loss on extinguishment of debt	463	0
Other	373	1,153
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	2,354	-21,532
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-2,019	-1,355
Accounts payable	-4,682	1,177
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	2,640	280
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations	0	-823
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	17,346	-2,921
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:	'	'
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	-1,125	-52,492
Purchases of property and equipment	-6,248	-7,607
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	527	0
Investments in cost method investee	-25,000	0
Investments in equity method investees	-9,202	0
Purchases of marketable securities	-161,288	-498,964
Sales of marketable securities	65,474	568,634
Maturities of marketable securities	134,669	51,804
Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations	0	75
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-2,193	61,450
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:	'	'
Repurchases of common stock	-17,816	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	70,000	0
Payments for debt issuance costs	-1,130	'
Repayments of capital lease obligations	-314	-126
Repayments of long-term debt	-15,500	-2,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	35,240	-2,126
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	50,393	56,403
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	-35	52
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning balance	71,556	8,487
Cash and cash equivalents, ending balance	$121,914	$64,942

Description_and_Basis_of_Prese

Description and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
BusinessDescriptionAndBasisOfPresentationTextBlockAbstract	'
Description and Basis of Presentation	'
	Description and Basis of Presentation
	Steel Excel Inc. (“Steel Excel” or the “Company”) currently operates in two reporting segments - Energy and Sports. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Steel Energy Ltd. ("Steel Energy"), the Company's Energy segment focuses on providing services to oil and gas companies, utilizing technological advances in supporting horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Steel Sports Inc., the Company's Sports segment focuses on providing event-based sports and entertainment services and other health-related services, including baseball facility services, baseball and soccer camps and leagues, and strength and conditioning services. The Company also continues to identify other new business acquisition opportunities.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements (the “Financial Statements”) of Steel Excel and its subsidiaries, which have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company believes that all adjustments, consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the Financial Statements. The operating results of any period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year or any future period.
	Commencing with the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013, the Company's quarter-end dates coincide with the calendar quarter-end dates. Prior to that time, the Company's quarter-end dates were based on fiscal quarters ending on the thirteenth Saturday of such fiscal quarter. The Company's quarter-end dates were September 30 and September 29 for the 2013 and 2012 periods, respectively.
	The results of operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, include a non-cash benefit for income taxes of $15.1 million as a result of a measurement period adjustment related to an acquisition (see Note 3). Certain other prior-period amounts in the Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2013 presentation, including the reclassifications necessary to reflect the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of a disposed business separately from continuing operations (see Note 5).

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
NewAccountingPronouncementsAndChangesInAccountingPrinciplesTextBlockAbstract	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. This pronouncement was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this pronouncement effective as of January 1, 2013. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-02 did not have a material effect on the Financial Statements.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity. The objective of this pronouncement is to resolve the diversity in practice regarding the release into net income of the cumulative translation adjustment upon derecognition of a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. ASU No. 2013-05 is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and for interim reporting periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2013-05 to have a material effect on the Financial Statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which provides guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and for interim reporting periods within those years. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2013-11 to have a material effect on the Financial Statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
BusinessCombinationDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	On January 31, 2013, the Company acquired a 20% membership interest in Ruckus Sports LLC ("Ruckus"), an obstacle course and mass-participation events company, with an option to acquire an additional 40% membership interest in the next two years. Pursuant to an operating agreement, the Company appointed two directors on a three-member board of directors and therefore has the ability to control the operations of Ruckus. The Company has determined that Ruckus is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and that the Company is the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the Company accounted for its acquisition of its 20% membership interest as a business combination and consolidates Ruckus. The fair value of the non-controlling interest at the acquisition date was based on the amount paid by the Company for a 20% membership interest and a control premium equal to 50% of the total consideration based on a study of business combinations. In May 2013 and July 2013 the Company acquired additional membership interests in Ruckus of 10% and 15%, respectively, increasing the Company's ownership interest to 45% as of September 30, 2013. Such additional investments were recorded as equity transactions since Ruckus was a consolidated VIE at the time of the investments.
	In November 2013, Ruckus cancelled a scheduled event and placed the majority of its employees on non-paid leave as a result of not having sufficient cash to fund current operations.  Ruckus continues to explore its alternatives and assess its ability to remain a going concern.  For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company’s results of operations included revenues of $1.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively, operating losses of $1.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and net losses after non-controlling interests of $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, from Ruckus.  At September 30, 2013, the Company’s balance sheet included $3.9 million of assets, including $3.5 million of goodwill, and $0.9 million of liabilities from Ruckus.
	On June 19, 2013, the Company acquired 80% of the outstanding common stock of UK Elite Soccer, Inc. ("UK Elite"), a provider of youth soccer programs and camps. The Company accounted for the acquisition of UK Elite as a business combination. The fair value of the non-controlling interest at the acquisition date was based on the amount paid by the Company for 80% of the common stock.
	The Company acquired Ruckus and UK Elite, both of which are included in the Company's Sports segment, in exchange for aggregate cash payments of $3.1 million and the contribution of a loan of $0.1 million made in December 2012. The estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired in connection with the Ruckus and UK Elite transactions, determined as of the respective acquisition dates, was as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Cash	$	1,991
	Accounts receivable	637
	Marketable securities	195
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	759
	Property and equipment	69
	Other assets	55
	Accounts payable	(96		)
	Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities	(3,481		)
	Long-term liabilities	(53		)
	Total identifiable net assets acquired	76
	Non-controlling interest	(2,896		)
	Goodwill	6,071
	Net assets acquired	$	3,251
	There were no identifiable intangible assets recognized separately from goodwill in connection with the acquisition of Ruckus. The fair values recognized in connection with the UK Elite transaction are provisional pending the Company's continued evaluation, including assessing any identifiable intangible assets, the value of which are included in goodwill as of September 30, 2013. The goodwill recognized in connection with the Ruckus and UK Elite transactions arises from the growth potential the Company sees for the investment, along with expected synergies within the Company’s Sports segment, and is expected to be fully deductible for tax purposes.
	The results of operations of Ruckus and UK Elite have been included in the Company's results of operations since their respective acquisition dates. Revenues from Ruckus and UK Elite totaled $4.9 million and $5.9 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Operating income from the combined results of operations of Ruckus and UK Elite was $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013; operating losses from the combined results of operations of Ruckus and UK Elite were $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	The carrying amounts and classifications of combined assets and liabilities of Ruckus and UK Elite included in the Company’s Financial Statements as of September 30, 2013, are as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Current assets	$	1,717
	Long-term assets	$	6,347
	Current liabilities	$	1,038
	Long-term liabilities	$	53
	On February 9, 2012, and May 31, 2012, the Company acquired Eagle Well Services, Inc. ("Eagle Well") and Sun Well Service, Inc. ("Sun Well"), respectively, both of which are included in the Company's Energy segment. The following pro forma financial information combines the results of operations of the Company, Sun Well, and Eagle Well for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as if the acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2012. Pro forma financial information for the 2013 periods is not presented and the 2012 periods do not include any amounts for Ruckus or UK Elite since they were not material to the Company's results of operations. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what would have actually occurred had the acquisitions been consummated at the beginning of 2012 or results that may occur in the future.
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Net revenues	$	96,961
	Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$	24,591
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	(1,986	)
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	23,185
	In December 2012, the Company identified a measurement period adjustment related to the acquisition of Sun Well for a deferred tax liability of $15.1 million associated with the identifiable intangible assets acquired. Such amount was recorded as if the measurement period adjustment was recognized at the acquisition date. As a result of the deferred tax liability recognized, the Company reversed a portion of its valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and recognized a non-cash benefit for income taxes of $15.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	In connection with its acquisition of Rogue Pressure Services, Inc. ("Rogue") in December 2011, the Company recognized a liability of $1.2 million for contingent consideration payable upon attaining certain operational performance levels in the ensuing three years. In December 2012, the Company reversed $0.7 million of the contingent consideration liability based on the failure to achieve the operational performance levels in 2012 and projections of future years' performance. In September 2013, the Company reversed the remaining $0.5 million of the contingent consideration liability based on the projections for 2013 and 2014. Such amount was recognized as a reduction of "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Stock_Benefit_Plans

Stock Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlockAbstract	'
Stock Benefit Plans	'
	Stock Benefit Plans
	The Company grants stock options and other stock-based awards to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants under two equity incentive plans, the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2004 Plan”), and the 2006 Director Plan, as amended (the "2006 Plan, and collectively the "Equity Plans"). Stock-based compensation expense by type of award, all of which was recognized as a component of "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Stock options	$	25	$	26	$	76	$	68
	Restricted stock	277		395		1,903		789
	Total stock-based compensation	$	302	$	421	$	1,979	$	857
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company granted 15,000 restricted stock units and 17,320 shares of restricted stock to its employees, non-employee directors, and consultants. The Company did not grant any stock options during the first nine months of 2013.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	In July 2012, the Company shut down The Show, a Sports segment operation that was not meeting expectations. The results of operations related to The Show for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-12
		(in thousands)
	Revenues	$	—	$	451
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	$	484	$	(1,986	)
	Benefit from income taxes	—		—
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	484	$	(1,986	)

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
MarketableSecuritiesTableTextBlockAbstract	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	Marketable Securities
	All of the Company's marketable securities as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, were classified as "available-for-sale" securities, with changes in fair value recognized in stockholders' equity as "other comprehensive income (loss)". Classification of marketable securities as a current asset is based on the intended holding period and realizability of the investment.
	Marketable securities at September 30, 2013, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	106,903			$	—			$	—			$	106,903
	Mutual funds	12,506				3,623				—				16,129
	United States government securities	50,383				29				—				50,412
	Corporate securities	69,974				8,220				(4,224		)		73,970
	Corporate obligations	23,573				855				(42		)		24,386
	Commercial paper	6,297				1				—				6,298
	Total available-for-sale securities	269,636				12,728				(4,266		)		278,098
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(108,603		)		—				—				(108,603		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	161,033			$	12,728			$	(4,266	)		$	169,495
	Marketable securities at December 31, 2012, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	48,596			$	—			$	—			$	48,596
	Mutual funds	10,368				1,452				—				11,820
	United States government securities	99,299				178				—				99,477
	Corporate securities	20,842				1,255				(1,980		)		20,117
	Corporate obligations	48,708				283				(277		)		48,714
	Commercial paper	22,275				16				—				22,291
	Total available-for-sale securities	250,088				3,184				(2,257		)		251,015
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(51,887		)		—				—				(51,887		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	198,201			$	3,184			$	(2,257	)		$	199,128
	Proceeds from sales of marketable securities were $65.5 million and $568.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $20.4 million and $77.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The company determines gains and losses from sales of marketable securities based on specific identification of the securities sold. Gross realized gains and losses from sales of marketable securities, all of which are reported as a component of "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
			Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
			September 30,								September 30,
			2013				2012				2013				2012
			(in thousands)
	Gross realized gains		$	1,914			$	42			$	5,779			$	138
	Gross realized losses		(51		)		(35		)		(3,945		)		(40		)
	Realized gains (losses) - net		$	1,863			$	7			$	1,834			$	98
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at September 30, 2013, and the duration of time that such losses had been unrealized, were as follows:
		Less than 12 Months								12 Months or Greater								Total
		Fair				Gross				Fair				Gross				Fair		Gross
		Value				Unrealized				Value				Unrealized				Value		Unrealized
						Losses								Losses						Losses
		(in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	22,725			$	(3,968	)		$	176			$	(256	)		$	22,901	$	(4,224	)
	Corporate obligations	940				(42		)		—				—				940		(42		)
	Total	$	23,665			$	(4,010	)		$	176			$	(256	)		$	23,841	$	(4,266	)
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2012, all of which had been unrealized for a period of less than twelve months, were as follows:
										Fair				Gross Unrealized
										Value				Losses
										(in thousands)
	Corporate securities									$	6,389			$	(1,980	)
	Corporate obligations									14,252				(277		)
	Total									$	20,641			$	(2,257	)
	Gross unrealized losses primarily related to losses on corporate securities. The Company has evaluated such securities, which primarily consist of investments in publicly-traded entities, as of September 30, 2013, and has determined that there was no indication of other-than-temporary impairments. This determination was based on several factors, including the length of time and extent to which fair value has been less than the cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the entity, and the Company's intent and ability to hold the corporate securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale debt securities at September 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
		Cost				Estimated
						Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Debt securities:
	Mature in one year or less	$	44,134			$	44,157
	Mature after one year through three years	14,285				14,435
Mature in more than three years	21,834				22,504
Total debt securities	80,253				81,096
Securities with no contractual maturities	189,383				197,002
Total	$	269,636			$	278,098
Equity-Method Investments
In January 2013, the Company acquired a 40% membership interest in Again Faster LLC, a fitness equipment company, for total cash consideration of $4.0 million. The Company accounts for its investment in Again Faster under the equity method as the Company owns more than 20%, providing the Company with significant influence, but does not have a controlling financial interest or other control over the operations of Again Faster.
On August 23, 2013, the Company acquired 1,316,866 shares of the common stock of iGo, Inc. (“iGo”), in a cash tender offer for total consideration of $5.2 million. The shares of common stock of iGo acquired by the Company represent approximately 44.0% of the outstanding shares of iGo on a fully-diluted basis and approximately 44.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of iGo. Pursuant to the Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement between the Company and iGo entered into on July 11, 2013, two members of iGo’s four-member board of directors were replaced by two designees of the Company. The Company accounts for its investment in iGo under the equity method as the Company’s 44.7% voting interest and board representation provide it with significant influence, but do not provide the Company with control over iGo’s operations. The value of the Company’s investment in iGo was approximately $4.0 million at September 30, 2013, based on the closing market price of iGo’s publicly-traded shares. The Company believes that this decline in value is temporary and therefore has not adjusted the carrying value of the investment.
Other Investments
In July 2013, the Company invested $25.0 million in a limited partnership that co-invested with other private investment funds in a public company. The Company accounts for this investment under the cost method as the limited partnership has no operations and the Company does not have significant influence over the operations of the public company investee. Such investment had an approximate fair value of $24.9 million at September 30, 2013, based on the net asset value included in the monthly statement it receives from the partnership.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
FairValueDisclosuresTextBlockAbstract	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair values of assets and liabilities are determined based on a three-level measurement input hierarchy. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the measurement date.
	Level 2 inputs are other than quoted market prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for an asset or liability. Level 2 inputs can include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in a market that is not active for identical assets or liabilities, or other inputs that can be corroborated by observable market data. The Company uses quoted prices of similar instruments with an active market to determine the fair value of its Level 2 investments.
	Level 3 inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability when there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are based on the best information available, and may include data developed by the Company. The Company uses the net asset value included in quarterly statements it receives in arrears from two venture capital funds to determine the fair value of such funds.  The Company uses prices determined by third-party pricing services based on the specific features of the underlying securities for certain corporate securities and corporate obligations. The Company uses its own forecast data and probability assessments to determine the fair value of the contingent consideration.
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2013, summarized by measurement input category, were as follows:
		Total				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash, including short-term deposits(1)	$	120,214			$	120,214	$	—	$	—
	Mutual funds(2)	16,129				16,129		—		—
	United States government securities(2)	50,412				50,412		—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	73,970				67,922		—		6,048
	Commercial paper(3)	6,298				—		6,298		—
	Corporate obligations(2)	24,386				—		12,573		11,813
	Investments in certain funds(4)	849				—		—		849
		$	292,258			$	254,677	$	18,871	$	18,710
	-1	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents".
	-2	Reported within “Marketable securities”.
	-3	At September 30, 2013, the Company reported $1.7 million and $4.6 million within "Cash and cash equivalents" and "Marketable securities", respectively.
	-4	Reported within "Other investments".
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2012, summarized by measurement input category, were as follows:
		Total				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash, including short-term deposits(1)	$	68,265			$	68,265	$	—	$	—
	Mutual funds(2)	11,820				11,820		—		—
	United States government securities(2)	99,477				99,477		—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	20,117				20,117		—		—
	Commercial paper(3)	22,291				—		22,291		—
	Corporate obligations(2)	48,714				—		46,931		1,783
	Investments in certain funds(4)	1,021				—		—		1,021
		$	271,705			$	199,679	$	69,222	$	2,804
	Liabilities
	Acquisition-related contingent consideration(5)	$	(475	)		$	—	$	—	$	(475	)
	-1	At December 31 2012, the Company reported $68.2 million and $0.1 million within “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Marketable securities,” respectively.
	-2	Reported within “Marketable securities.”
	-3	At December 31, 2012, the Company reported $3.4 million and $18.9 million within "Cash and cash equivalents" and "Marketable securities."
	-4	Reported within "Other investments".
	-5	Reported within “Accrued expenses”.
	There were no transfers of securities among the various measurement input levels during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013. The liability for contingent consideration was reversed during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 (see Note 3).
	Changes in the fair value of assets valued using Level 3 measurement inputs during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, were as follows:
				Amount
				(in thousands)
	Balance, January 1, 2013			$	2,804
	Purchases			39,332
	Sales			(22,958		)
	Realized gain on sale			1,556
	Change in fair value			(2,024		)
	Balance, September 30, 2013			$	18,710
	In November 2012, the Company invested $6.0 million in convertible debentures of School Specialty Inc. (“School Specialty”) with a face amount of $11.9 million. On January 28, 2013, School Specialty filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, and in subsequent months the Company invested approximately $21.3 million as part of the debtor-in-possession loan to School Specialty. Upon School Specialty emerging from bankruptcy on June 11, 2013, the Company received 26,457 shares of common stock of the post-bankruptcy entity in exchange for the convertible debentures, and received $17.5 million in cash and 49,136 shares of common stock of the post-bankruptcy entity in exchange for its investment in the debtor-in-possession loan. The fair value of the common stock of the post-bankruptcy entity received was $109 per share. In connection with these transactions, the Company recognized a loss on disposal of the subordinated debentures of approximately $3.2 million and a gain on disposal of the investment in the debtor-in-possession loan of approximately $1.6 million, both of which are included as a component of “Other income (expense), net” in the consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. In addition, the Company invested $9.8 million in senior secured notes of the post-bankruptcy entity in June 2013. The Company's investments in the common stock and senior secured notes of the post-bankruptcy entity are included as Level 3 corporate securities and Level 3 corporate obligations, respectively, as of September 30, 2013.
	The Company’s 3/4% Convertible Senior Notes due December 22, 2023 had a carrying value of approximately $0.3 million as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, which was a reasonable approximation of fair value as of both dates.

Property_and_Equipment_Net

Property and Equipment Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
LongLivedAssetsTextBlockAbstract	'
Property and Equipment, Net	'
	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013			31-Dec-12
		(in thousands)
	Rigs and other equipment	$	71,845		$	68,404
	Buildings and improvements	13,295			12,019
	Land	1,068			1,068
	Vehicles	1,742			1,639
	Furniture and fixtures	289			289
	Assets in progress	3,233			2,342
		91,472			85,761
	Accumulated depreciation	(15,604		)	(7,993		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	75,868		$	77,768
	Depreciation expense was $2.6 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Depreciation expense was $7.8 million and $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company wrote off $0.1 million of property and equipment related to the shutdown of The Show (see Note 5). This write-off is included in “Income (loss) from discontinued operations" in the consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The Company's intangible assets at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, all of which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013								December 31, 2012
		Cost			Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Sports segment:
	Customer relationships	$	235		$	(102	)	$	133	$	235	$	(67	)	$	168
	Energy segment:
	Customer relationships	43,100			(11,986		)	31,114		43,100		(6,356		)	36,744
	Trade names	4,100			(2,076		)	2,024		4,100		(1,125		)	2,975
		47,200			(14,062		)	33,138		47,200		(7,481		)	39,719
	Total	$	47,435		$	(14,164	)	$	33,271	$	47,435	$	(7,548	)	$	39,887
	Amortization expense was $2.0 million and $2.6 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amortization expense was $6.6 million and $5.0 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Estimated aggregate amortization expense related to the intangible assets for the next five years is as follows:
					Amount
					(in thousands)
	For the year ended December 31:
	Remainder of 2013				$	3,115
	2014				6,612
	2015				5,281
	2016				4,273
	2017				3,158
	Thereafter				10,832
					$	33,271
	The changes to the Company’s carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013								Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Energy			Sports			Total		Energy		Sports			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	52,939		$	154		$	53,093	$	6,256	$	1,988		$	8,244
	Acquisitions (see Note 3)	—			6,071			6,071		46,683		154			46,837
	Impairments	—			—			—		—		(1,988		)	(1,988		)
	Balance at end of period	$	52,939		$	6,225		$	59,164	$	52,939	$	154		$	53,093
	Goodwill at September 30, 2013 includes VIE goodwill of $3.6 million in the Company's Sports segment. There was no VIE goodwill at December 31, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment of $1.8 million related to The Show, which is included in “Income (loss) from discontinued operations" in the consolidated statements of operations. Including a goodwill impairment of $0.2 million incurred in the latter half of 2012 related to another Sports segment operation, accumulated goodwill impairment was $2.0 million at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012.
	The components of goodwill at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, were as follows:
		September 30, 2013			31-Dec-12
		(in thousands)
	Goodwill	$	61,152		$	55,081
	Accumulated impairment	(1,988		)	(1,988		)
	Net goodwill	$	59,164		$	53,093

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt	'
	Long-term Debt
	On July 3, 2013, Steel Energy entered into a credit agreement (the “Energy Credit Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank National Association, RBS Citizens, N.A., and Comerica Bank. The Energy Credit Agreement provided for a borrowing capacity of $80.0 million consisting of a $70.0 million secured term loan (the “Term Loan”) that was fully drawn by Steel Energy on July 3, 2013, and up to $10.0 million in revolving loans (the “Revolving Loans”) subject to a borrowing base of 85% of the eligible accounts receivable. Borrowings under the Energy Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all the assets of Steel Energy and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Sun Well and Rogue, and a pledge of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Sun Well and Rogue, and are fully guaranteed by Sun Well and Rogue. The proceeds of the Term Loan at closing, along with proceeds from intercompany loans to Steel Energy from Sun Well and Rogue, were used to pay the Company a dividend of $80.0 million and certain fees and expenses related to the Energy Credit Agreement. The Company incurred fees totaling approximately $1.1 million in connection with the Energy Credit Agreement that are being amortized over the life of the arrangement as a component of interest expense.
	The Energy Credit Agreement has a five-year term, with the Term Loan amortizing in quarterly installments of $2.5 million and a balloon payment due on the maturity date. At September 30, 2013, $67.5 million was outstanding under the Term Loan and no amount was outstanding under the Revolving Loans. Principal payments under the Energy Credit Agreement for the remainder of 2013 and subsequent years are as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Remainder of 2013	$	2,500
	2014	10,000
	2015	10,000
	2016	10,000
	2017	10,000
	2018	25,000
	Total	67,500
	Less current portion	10,000
	Total long-term debt	57,500
	Borrowings under the Energy Credit Agreement bear interest at annual rates of either (i) the Base Rate plus an applicable margin of 1.50% to 2.25% or (ii) LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.50% to 3.25%. The “Base Rate” is the greatest of (i) the prime lending rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, and (iii) the one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%. The applicable margin for both Base Rate and LIBOR is determined based on the leverage ratio calculated in accordance with the Energy Credit Agreement. LIBOR-based borrowings are available for interest periods of one, three, or six months. In addition, the Company is required to pay commitment fees of between 0.375% and 0.50% per annum on the daily unused amount of the Revolving Loans. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company incurred interest expense of $0.7 million in connection with the Energy Credit Agreement, consisting of $0.5 million in interest on the Term Loans and $0.2 million of amortization of deferred financing fees.
	The Energy Credit Agreement contains certain financial covenants, including (i) a leverage ratio not to exceed 3.00:1 for quarterly periods through June 15, 2015, 2.75:1 for quarterly periods through June 30, 2017, and 2.5:1 thereafter and (ii) a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.15:1 for quarterly periods through December 31, 2016, and 1.25:1 thereafter. The Energy Credit Agreement also contains standard representations, warranties and covenants, including, among other things, covenants relating to (i) financial reporting and notification, (ii) payment of obligations, (iii) compliance with law, (iv) maintenance of properties and (v) payment of restricted payments. The repayment of the Term Loan can be accelerated upon (i) a change in control, which would include Steel Energy owning less than 100% of the equity of Sun Well or Rogue or Steel Partners Holdings L.P. (“SPLP”) owning, directly or indirectly, less than 35% of Steel Energy or (ii) other events of default, including payment failure, false representations, covenant breaches, and bankruptcy.
	Sun Well previously had a credit agreement (the "Sun Well Credit Agreement") with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, that included a term loan of $20.0 million and a revolving line of credit for up to $5.0 million. All amounts due under the Sun Well Credit Agreement were fully repaid in the first nine months of 2013 and the facility was terminated as of July 3, 2013, upon closing of the Energy Credit Agreement. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company incurred interest expense of $0.3 million in connection with the Sun Well Credit Agreement. Upon termination of the Sun Well Credit Agreement, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of $0.5 million from the write off of unamortized deferred financing costs, which was reported as a component of "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Other_Liabilities

Other Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
OtherLiabilitiesDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Other Liabilities	'
	Other Liabilities
	“Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013		31-Dec-12
		(in thousands)
	Tax-related	$	1,136	$	1,197
	Accrued compensation and related taxes	3,103		3,424
	Deferred revenue	675		299
	Insurance	521		—
	Professional services	248		282
	Accrued fuel and rig-related charges	291		162
	Interest	476		25
	Other	1,372		714
		$	7,822	$	6,103
	“Other long-term liabilities” consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013		31-Dec-12
		(in thousands)
	Tax-related	$	7,340	$	7,340
	Deferred compensation	2,888		2,032
	Other	53		—
		$	10,281	$	9,372

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTextBlockAbstract	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Changes in the components of "Accumulated other comprehensive income" were as follows:
		Unrealized			Cumulative			Total
		Gain on			Translation
		Securities			Adjustment
		(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	927		$	19		$	946
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of taxes	6,593			(39		)	6,554
	Amounts reclassified to realized gain	(1,834		)	(346		)	(2,180		)
	Net current period other comprehensive income	4,759			(385		)	4,374
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	5,686		$	(366	)	$	5,320

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
IncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, Income Taxes, which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Based on its history of operating losses, the Company has offset its net deferred tax assets by a full valuation allowance. Any reversal of the corresponding valuation allowance will generally result in a tax benefit being recorded in the consolidated statement of operations in the respective period.
	The Company recognized a benefit from income taxes of $2.3 million and $15.4 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, primarily due to a partial reversal of the Company's valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. In the 2013 period, the Company reversed $2.8 million of the valuation allowance as a result of deferred tax liabilities recognized related to the unrealized gains on marketable securities. In the 2012 period, the Company reversed $15.1 of the valuation allowance as a result of deferred tax liabilities recognized related to the identifiable intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisition of Sun Well in May 2012.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company currently reports its business in two reportable segments - Energy and Sports. The Company measures profit or loss of its segments based on operating income (loss).
	Segment information relating to the Company's results of continuing operations was as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Revenues
	Energy	$	25,162		$	33,037		$	78,272		$	70,788
	Sports	6,683			1,256			9,299			2,401
	Total revenues	$	31,845		$	34,293		$	87,571		$	73,189
	Operating income (loss)
	Energy	$	2,006		$	5,566		$	8,626		$	14,550
	Sports	88			(463		)	(1,790		)	(1,392		)
	Total segment operating income	2,094			5,103			6,836			13,158
	Corporate and other business activities	(2,033		)	(1,816		)	(6,658		)	(6,852		)
	Interest income, net	472			81			2,341			572
	Other income (expense), net	1,329			392			1,190			(81		)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	1,862		$	3,760		$	3,709		$	6,797
	Depreciation and amortization expense:
	Energy	$	4,386		$	5,028		$	13,923		$	9,935
	Sports	175			169			494			389
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	4,561		$	5,197		$	14,417		$	10,324
	Segment information related to the Company's assets was as follows:
		September 30, 2013			31-Dec-12
		(in thousands)
	Sports	$	22,878		$	7,613
	Energy	181,866			199,889
	Corporate and other business activities	315,327			258,993
	Total assets	$	520,071		$	466,495

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EarningsPerShareTextBlockAbstract	'
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	'
	Net Income (Loss) Per Share
	Basic net income (loss) per share of common stock is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share gives effect to all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.
	Amounts used in the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerators:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	2,159	$	4,865	$	6,019	$	22,175
	Non-controlling interest	311		—		832		—
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	2,470	$	4,865	$	6,851	$	22,175
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	484	$	—	$	(1,986	)
	Non-controlling interest	—		—		—		580
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	—	$	484	$	—	$	(1,406	)
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	2,470	$	5,349	$	6,851	$	20,769
	Denominators:
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	12,529		12,982		12,736		11,820
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock-based awards	17		19		18		20
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	12,546		13,001		12,754		11,840
	Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.2	$	0.37	$	0.54	$	1.88
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	0.04	$	—	$	(0.12	)
	Net income	$	0.2	$	0.41	$	0.54	$	1.76
	Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.2	$	0.37	$	0.54	$	1.87
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	0.04	$	—	$	(0.12	)
	Net income	$	0.2	$	0.41	$	0.54	$	1.75

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
RelatedPartyTransactionsDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	SPLP beneficially owned approximately 53.7% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of September 30, 2013. The power to vote and dispose of the securities held by SPLP is controlled by Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc. (“SPH GP”). Warren G. Lichtenstein, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the Company's Sports segment, is also the Executive Chairman of SPH GP. Certain other affiliates of SPH GP hold positions with the Company, including Jack Howard, as Vice Chairman and principal executive officer, James F. McCabe, Jr., as Chief Financial Officer, and Leonard J. McGill, as Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary. Each of Warren G. Lichtenstein and Jack L. Howard is compensated with cash compensation and equity awards or equity-based awards in amounts that are consistent with the Company’s Non-employee Director Compensation Policy.
	In October 2011, the Company contracted with SP Corporate Services LLC (“SP Corporate”), a SPLP affiliate, to provide financial management and administrative services, including the services of a chief financial officer. Through July 2012, the Company paid SP Corporate $35,000 per month for the provision of such services. Effective August 2012, the services SP Corporate provides were expanded to include executive and financial management services in the areas of finance, regulatory reporting, and other administrative and operational functions. The Company pays SP Corporate $300,000 per month for these expanded services. The services agreement with SP Corporate was approved by a committee of the Company’s independent directors. In addition, the Company reimburses SP Corporate and other SPLP affiliates for certain expenses incurred on the Company’s behalf. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company incurred expenses of $1.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively, related to services provided by SP Corporate and reimbursements of expenses incurred on its behalf by SP Corporate and its affiliates. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company incurred expenses of $3.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively, related to services provided by SP Corporate and reimbursements of expenses incurred on its behalf by SP Corporate and its affiliates. As of September 30, 2013, the Company owed SP Corporate $0.2 million.
	In October 2013, iGo contracted with SP Corporate to provide certain executive, other employee, and corporate services for a fixed annual fee of $0.4 million. In addition, iGo will reimburse SP Corporate for reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred on iGo’s behalf. The services agreement was approved by the independent directors of iGo.
	The Company holds $15.1 million of short-term deposits at WebBank, an affiliate of SPLP, and recorded interest income of $21,231 and $68,918 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company recorded interest income of $32,271 and $57,997 from WebBank during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
CashFlowSupplementalDisclosuresTextBlockAbstract	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	Cash paid for interest and income taxes and non-cash investing financing and investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Interest paid	$	539	$	222
	Income taxes paid	$	1,594	$	—
	Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Issuance of common stock for acquisition of Sun Well	$	—	$	60,825

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	On October 29, 2013, a newly-formed, wholly owned subsidiary of Steel Energy entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) to acquire substantially all of the assets of Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc. (“Black Hawk”) for $60.0 million in cash.  Closing of Asset Purchase Agreement is subject to several closing conditions, including that there has been no material adverse effect on the condition of Black Hawk, consent, if necessary, of the lenders under the Steel Energy Credit Agreement, certain employees of Black Hawk accepting employment, and satisfaction of certain employment matters requirements.  In connection with the Asset Purchase Agreement, Steel Energy will execute a guaranty at closing that guarantees the payment obligations, if any, of its newly-formed subsidiary after the closing.
	In November 2013, Ruckus cancelled a scheduled event and placed the majority of its employees on non-paid leave as a result of not having sufficient cash to fund current operations.  Ruckus continues to explore its alternatives and assess its ability to remain a going concern.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
BusinessCombinationDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation [Table Text Block]	'
	The estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired in connection with the Ruckus and UK Elite transactions, determined as of the respective acquisition dates, was as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Cash	$	1,991
	Accounts receivable	637
	Marketable securities	195
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	759
	Property and equipment	69
	Other assets	55
	Accounts payable	(96		)
	Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities	(3,481		)
	Long-term liabilities	(53		)
	Total identifiable net assets acquired	76
	Non-controlling interest	(2,896		)
	Goodwill	6,071
	Net assets acquired	$	3,251
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	'
	The carrying amounts and classifications of combined assets and liabilities of Ruckus and UK Elite included in the Company’s Financial Statements as of September 30, 2013, are as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Current assets	$	1,717
	Long-term assets	$	6,347
	Current liabilities	$	1,038
	Long-term liabilities	$	53
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what would have actually occurred had the acquisitions been consummated at the beginning of 2012 or results that may occur in the future.
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Net revenues	$	96,961
	Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$	24,591
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	(1,986	)
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	23,185

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Stock Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlockAbstract	'
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan [Table Text Block]	'
	Stock-based compensation expense by type of award, all of which was recognized as a component of "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Stock options	$	25	$	26	$	76	$	68
	Restricted stock	277		395		1,903		789
	Total stock-based compensation	$	302	$	421	$	1,979	$	857

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The results of operations related to The Show for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		30-Sep-12
		(in thousands)
	Revenues	$	—	$	451
	Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	$	484	$	(1,986	)
	Benefit from income taxes	—		—
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	484	$	(1,986	)

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
MarketableSecuritiesTableTextBlockAbstract	'
Investment [Table Text Block]	'
	Marketable securities at September 30, 2013, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	106,903			$	—			$	—			$	106,903
	Mutual funds	12,506				3,623				—				16,129
	United States government securities	50,383				29				—				50,412
	Corporate securities	69,974				8,220				(4,224		)		73,970
	Corporate obligations	23,573				855				(42		)		24,386
	Commercial paper	6,297				1				—				6,298
	Total available-for-sale securities	269,636				12,728				(4,266		)		278,098
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(108,603		)		—				—				(108,603		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	161,033			$	12,728			$	(4,266	)		$	169,495
	Marketable securities at December 31, 2012, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	48,596			$	—			$	—			$	48,596
	Mutual funds	10,368				1,452				—				11,820
	United States government securities	99,299				178				—				99,477
	Corporate securities	20,842				1,255				(1,980		)		20,117
	Corporate obligations	48,708				283				(277		)		48,714
	Commercial paper	22,275				16				—				22,291
	Total available-for-sale securities	250,088				3,184				(2,257		)		251,015
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(51,887		)		—				—				(51,887		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	198,201			$	3,184			$	(2,257	)		$	199,128
Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]	'
	Gross realized gains and losses from sales of marketable securities, all of which are reported as a component of "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
			Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
			September 30,								September 30,
			2013				2012				2013				2012
			(in thousands)
	Gross realized gains		$	1,914			$	42			$	5,779			$	138
	Gross realized losses		(51		)		(35		)		(3,945		)		(40		)
	Realized gains (losses) - net		$	1,863			$	7			$	1,834			$	98
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at September 30, 2013, and the duration of time that such losses had been unrealized, were as follows:
		Less than 12 Months								12 Months or Greater								Total
		Fair				Gross				Fair				Gross				Fair		Gross
		Value				Unrealized				Value				Unrealized				Value		Unrealized
						Losses								Losses						Losses
		(in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	22,725			$	(3,968	)		$	176			$	(256	)		$	22,901	$	(4,224	)
	Corporate obligations	940				(42		)		—				—				940		(42		)
	Total	$	23,665			$	(4,010	)		$	176			$	(256	)		$	23,841	$	(4,266	)
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2012, all of which had been unrealized for a period of less than twelve months, were as follows:
										Fair				Gross Unrealized
										Value				Losses
										(in thousands)
	Corporate securities									$	6,389			$	(1,980	)
	Corporate obligations									14,252				(277		)
	Total									$	20,641			$	(2,257	)
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	'
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale debt securities at September 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
		Cost				Estimated
						Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Debt securities:
	Mature in one year or less	$	44,134			$	44,157
	Mature after one year through three years	14,285				14,435
	Mature in more than three years	21,834				22,504
	Total debt securities	80,253				81,096
	Securities with no contractual maturities	189,383				197,002
	Total	$	269,636			$	278,098

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
FairValueDisclosuresTextBlockAbstract	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2013, summarized by measurement input category, were as follows:
		Total				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash, including short-term deposits(1)	$	120,214			$	120,214	$	—	$	—
	Mutual funds(2)	16,129				16,129		—		—
	United States government securities(2)	50,412				50,412		—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	73,970				67,922		—		6,048
	Commercial paper(3)	6,298				—		6,298		—
	Corporate obligations(2)	24,386				—		12,573		11,813
	Investments in certain funds(4)	849				—		—		849
		$	292,258			$	254,677	$	18,871	$	18,710
	-1	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents".
	-2	Reported within “Marketable securities”.
	-3	At September 30, 2013, the Company reported $1.7 million and $4.6 million within "Cash and cash equivalents" and "Marketable securities", respectively.
	-4	Reported within "Other investments".
		Total				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash, including short-term deposits(1)	$	68,265			$	68,265	$	—	$	—
	Mutual funds(2)	11,820				11,820		—		—
	United States government securities(2)	99,477				99,477		—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	20,117				20,117		—		—
	Commercial paper(3)	22,291				—		22,291		—
	Corporate obligations(2)	48,714				—		46,931		1,783
	Investments in certain funds(4)	1,021				—		—		1,021
		$	271,705			$	199,679	$	69,222	$	2,804
	Liabilities
	Acquisition-related contingent consideration(5)	$	(475	)		$	—	$	—	$	(475	)
	-1	At December 31 2012, the Company reported $68.2 million and $0.1 million within “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Marketable securities,” respectively.
	-2	Reported within “Marketable securities.”
	-3	At December 31, 2012, the Company reported $3.4 million and $18.9 million within "Cash and cash equivalents" and "Marketable securities."
	-4	Reported within "Other investments".
	-5	Reported within “Accrued expenses”
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in the fair value of assets valued using Level 3 measurement inputs during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, were as follows:
				Amount
				(in thousands)
	Balance, January 1, 2013			$	2,804
	Purchases			39,332
	Sales			(22,958		)
	Realized gain on sale			1,556
	Change in fair value			(2,024		)
	Balance, September 30, 2013			$	18,710

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Tab

Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
LongLivedAssetsTextBlockAbstract	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	Property and equipment at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013			31-Dec-12
		(in thousands)
	Rigs and other equipment	$	71,845		$	68,404
	Buildings and improvements	13,295			12,019
	Land	1,068			1,068
	Vehicles	1,742			1,639
	Furniture and fixtures	289			289
	Assets in progress	3,233			2,342
		91,472			85,761
	Accumulated depreciation	(15,604		)	(7,993		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	75,868		$	77,768

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The Company's intangible assets at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, all of which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013								December 31, 2012
		Cost			Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Sports segment:
	Customer relationships	$	235		$	(102	)	$	133	$	235	$	(67	)	$	168
	Energy segment:
	Customer relationships	43,100			(11,986		)	31,114		43,100		(6,356		)	36,744
	Trade names	4,100			(2,076		)	2,024		4,100		(1,125		)	2,975
		47,200			(14,062		)	33,138		47,200		(7,481		)	39,719
	Total	$	47,435		$	(14,164	)	$	33,271	$	47,435	$	(7,548	)	$	39,887
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	Estimated aggregate amortization expense related to the intangible assets for the next five years is as follows:
					Amount
					(in thousands)
	For the year ended December 31:
	Remainder of 2013				$	3,115
	2014				6,612
	2015				5,281
	2016				4,273
	2017				3,158
	Thereafter				10,832
					$	33,271
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
	The changes to the Company’s carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013								Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Energy			Sports			Total		Energy		Sports			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	52,939		$	154		$	53,093	$	6,256	$	1,988		$	8,244
	Acquisitions (see Note 3)	—			6,071			6,071		46,683		154			46,837
	Impairments	—			—			—		—		(1,988		)	(1,988		)
	Balance at end of period	$	52,939		$	6,225		$	59,164	$	52,939	$	154		$	53,093
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of goodwill at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, were as follows:
		September 30, 2013			31-Dec-12
		(in thousands)
	Goodwill	$	61,152		$	55,081
	Accumulated impairment	(1,988		)	(1,988		)
	Net goodwill	$	59,164		$	53,093

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	Principal payments under the Energy Credit Agreement for the remainder of 2013 and subsequent years are as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Remainder of 2013	$	2,500
	2014	10,000
	2015	10,000
	2016	10,000
	2017	10,000
	2018	25,000
	Total	67,500
	Less current portion	10,000
	Total long-term debt	57,500

Other_Liabilities_Tables

Other Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
OtherLiabilitiesDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	“Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013		31-Dec-12
		(in thousands)
	Tax-related	$	1,136	$	1,197
	Accrued compensation and related taxes	3,103		3,424
	Deferred revenue	675		299
	Insurance	521		—
	Professional services	248		282
	Accrued fuel and rig-related charges	291		162
	Interest	476		25
	Other	1,372		714
		$	7,822	$	6,103
Schedule of Other Long-Term Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	“Other long-term liabilities” consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013		31-Dec-12
		(in thousands)
	Tax-related	$	7,340	$	7,340
	Deferred compensation	2,888		2,032
	Other	53		—
		$	10,281	$	9,372

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTextBlockAbstract	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in the components of "Accumulated other comprehensive income" were as follows:
		Unrealized			Cumulative			Total
		Gain on			Translation
		Securities			Adjustment
		(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	927		$	19		$	946
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of taxes	6,593			(39		)	6,554
	Amounts reclassified to realized gain	(1,834		)	(346		)	(2,180		)
	Net current period other comprehensive income	4,759			(385		)	4,374
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	5,686		$	(366	)	$	5,320

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
	Segment information relating to the Company's results of continuing operations was as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Revenues
	Energy	$	25,162		$	33,037		$	78,272		$	70,788
	Sports	6,683			1,256			9,299			2,401
	Total revenues	$	31,845		$	34,293		$	87,571		$	73,189
	Operating income (loss)
	Energy	$	2,006		$	5,566		$	8,626		$	14,550
	Sports	88			(463		)	(1,790		)	(1,392		)
	Total segment operating income	2,094			5,103			6,836			13,158
	Corporate and other business activities	(2,033		)	(1,816		)	(6,658		)	(6,852		)
	Interest income, net	472			81			2,341			572
	Other income (expense), net	1,329			392			1,190			(81		)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	1,862		$	3,760		$	3,709		$	6,797
	Depreciation and amortization expense:
	Energy	$	4,386		$	5,028		$	13,923		$	9,935
	Sports	175			169			494			389
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	4,561		$	5,197		$	14,417		$	10,324
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
	Segment information related to the Company's assets was as follows:
		September 30, 2013			31-Dec-12
		(in thousands)
	Sports	$	22,878		$	7,613
	Energy	181,866			199,889
	Corporate and other business activities	315,327			258,993
	Total assets	$	520,071		$	466,495

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EarningsPerShareTextBlockAbstract	'
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	Amounts used in the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerators:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	2,159	$	4,865	$	6,019	$	22,175
	Non-controlling interest	311		—		832		—
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	2,470	$	4,865	$	6,851	$	22,175
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	484	$	—	$	(1,986	)
	Non-controlling interest	—		—		—		580
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	—	$	484	$	—	$	(1,406	)
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	2,470	$	5,349	$	6,851	$	20,769
	Denominators:
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	12,529		12,982		12,736		11,820
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock-based awards	17		19		18		20
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	12,546		13,001		12,754		11,840
	Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.2	$	0.37	$	0.54	$	1.88
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	0.04	$	—	$	(0.12	)
	Net income	$	0.2	$	0.41	$	0.54	$	1.76
	Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.2	$	0.37	$	0.54	$	1.87
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	0.04	$	—	$	(0.12	)
	Net income	$	0.2	$	0.41	$	0.54	$	1.75

Supplemental_Cash_Flows_Inform

Supplemental Cash Flows Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
CashFlowSupplementalDisclosuresTextBlockAbstract	'
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
	Cash paid for interest and income taxes and non-cash investing financing and investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Interest paid	$	539	$	222
	Income taxes paid	$	1,594	$	—
	Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Issuance of common stock for acquisition of Sun Well	$	—	$	60,825

Description_and_Basis_of_Prese1

Description and Basis of Presentation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
		segment
BusinessDescriptionAndBasisOfPresentationTextBlockAbstract	'	'	'
Number of Reportable Segments (in segments)	'	2	'
Income benefit, measurement period adjustment	$15.10	$15.10	$15.10

Acquisitions_Detail

Acquisitions (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Aug. 23, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Jun. 19, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Ruckus Sports LLC and UK Elite Soccer, Inc. [Member]

Ruckus Sports LLC and UK Elite Soccer, Inc. [Member]

Ruckus Sports LLC and UK Elite Soccer, Inc. [Member]

Ruckus Sports LLC and UK Elite Soccer, Inc. [Member]

Ruckus Sports LLC [Member]

Ruckus Sports LLC [Member]

Ruckus Sports LLC [Member]

UK Elite Soccer, Inc. [Member]

Rogue Pressure Services, Inc. [Member]

Rogue Pressure Services, Inc. [Member]

Rogue Pressure Services, Inc. [Member]

Rogue Pressure Services, Inc. [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

director

Ruckus Sports LLC [Member]

Ruckus Sports LLC [Member]

Ownership percentage (as a percent)

'

'

'

44.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of acquired entity, liabilities incurred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of acquired entity, cash paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of voting interests acquired, additional membership interest (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

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'

'

'

Period during which Company has the option to acquire additional interest (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of directors appointed (in directors)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of directors on board (in directors)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Control premium (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of voting interests acquired (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

10.00%

80.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net revenues

'

'

96,961,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

1,000,000

Operating losses

'

'

-23,185,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

900,000

1,500,000

Net losses after non-controlling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

500,000

Assets

'

520,071,000

'

'

466,495,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,900,000

3,900,000

Goodwill

'

59,164,000

'

'

53,093,000

8,244,000

'

'

'

6,071,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,500,000

3,500,000

Liabilities

'

90,657,000

'

'

34,533,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

900,000

900,000

Revenue of acquiree since acquisition date, Actual

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,900,000

5,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earnings or loss of acquiree since acquisition date

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

-400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income benefit, measurement period adjustment

15,100,000

15,100,000

15,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,200,000

'

'

Contingent consideration performance period (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities arising from contingencies, amount recognized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$500,000

$700,000

'

'

'

Acquisitions_Purchase_Price_Al

Acquisitions - Purchase Price Allocation (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Ruckus Sports LLC and UK Elite Soccer, Inc. [Member]
Cash	'	'	'	$1,991
Accounts receivable	'	'	'	637
Marketable securities	'	'	'	195
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	'	'	'	759
Property and equipment	'	'	'	69
Other assets	'	'	'	55
Accounts payable	'	'	'	-96
Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities	'	'	'	-3,481
Long-term liabilities	'	'	'	-53
Total identifiable net assets acquired	'	'	'	76
Non-controlling interest	'	'	'	-2,896
Goodwill	59,164	53,093	8,244	6,071
Net assets acquired	'	'	'	$3,251

Acquisitions_Carrying_amounts_

Acquisitions - Carrying amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current liabilities [Member]	'
Liabilities	$1,038
Long-term liabilities [Member]	'
Liabilities	53
Current assets [Member]	'
Assets	1,717
Long-term assets [Member]	'
Assets	$6,347

Acquisitions_Pro_Forma_Financi

Acquisitions - Pro Forma Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Pro Forma Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Net revenues	$96,961
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	24,591
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	-1,986
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$23,185

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Detail

Stock Benefit Plans (Detail)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Number of Equity Incentive Plans (in plans)	2
Employee Stock [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Non-Option Equity Instruments, Granted (in shares)	15,000
Director [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Non-Option Equity Instruments, Granted (in shares)	17,320

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Stockbased

Stock Benefit Plans - Stock-based compensation expenses (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$302	$421	$1,979	$857
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	25	26	76	68
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$277	$395	$1,903	$789

Discontinued_Operations_Revenu

Discontinued Operations - Revenues and the components of income related to discontinued operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues and the components of income related to discontinued operations: [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	$0	'	$451
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	'	484	'	-1,986
Benefit from income taxes	'	0	'	0
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$0	$484	$0	($1,986)

Investments_Detail

Investments (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Aug. 23, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Jul. 11, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 23, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Again Faster LLC [Member]

iGo, Inc. [Member]

iGo, Inc. [Member]

iGo, Inc. [Member]

Again Faster LLC [Member]

Partnership [Member]

Partnership [Member]

director

Sales of marketable securities

$20,400,000

$77,700,000

$65,474,000

$568,634,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of voting interests acquired (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

'

'

Cost of acquired entity, cash paid

'

'

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,316,866

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Aggregate Cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,200,000

'

'

25,000,000

Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage, Outstanding Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

44.00%

'

'

'

Ownership percentage (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

44.70%

'

'

'

44.70%

'

'

'

Number of directors appointed (in directors)

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

Number of directors on board (in directors)

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4,000,000

'

'

$24,900,000

'

Investments_Portfolio_of_marke

Investments - Portfolio of marketable securities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	$269,636	$250,088
Gross Unrealized Gains	12,728	3,184
Gross Unrealized Losses	-4,266	-2,257
Estimated Fair Value	278,098	251,015
Cash equivalents cost	-108,603	-51,887
Cash equivalents estimated fair value	-108,603	-51,887
Marketable securities cost	161,033	198,201
Marketable securities estimated fair value	169,495	199,128
Short-term Deposits [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	106,903	48,596
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	106,903	48,596
Mutual Funds [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	12,506	10,368
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,623	1,452
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	16,129	11,820
US Treasury Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	50,383	99,299
Gross Unrealized Gains	29	178
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	50,412	99,477
Corporate Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	69,974	20,842
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,220	1,255
Gross Unrealized Losses	-4,224	-1,980
Estimated Fair Value	73,970	20,117
Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	23,573	48,708
Gross Unrealized Gains	855	283
Gross Unrealized Losses	-42	-277
Estimated Fair Value	24,386	48,714
Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	6,297	22,275
Gross Unrealized Gains	1	16
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	$6,298	$22,291

Investments_Fair_value_and_gro

Investments - Fair value and gross unrealized losses of the available for sale securities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	$1,914	$42	$5,779	$138	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	-51	-35	-3,945	-40	'
Unrealized loss position less than 12 months, fair value	23,665	'	23,665	'	'
Unrealized loss position, less than 12 month, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-4,010	'	'
Unrealized loss position, 12 months or greater, fair value	176	'	176	'	'
Unrealized loss position, 12 month or greater, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-256	'	'
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	23,841	'	23,841	'	20,641
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-4,266	'	2,257
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	1,863	7	1,834	98	'
Corporate Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized loss position less than 12 months, fair value	22,725	'	22,725	'	'
Unrealized loss position, less than 12 month, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-3,968	'	'
Unrealized loss position, 12 months or greater, fair value	176	'	176	'	'
Unrealized loss position, 12 month or greater, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-256	'	'
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	22,901	'	22,901	'	6,389
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-4,224	'	1,980
Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized loss position less than 12 months, fair value	940	'	940	'	'
Unrealized loss position, less than 12 month, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-42	'	'
Unrealized loss position, 12 months or greater, fair value	0	'	0	'	'
Unrealized loss position, 12 month or greater, gross unrealized losses	'	'	0	'	'
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	940	'	940	'	14,252
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	'	'	($42)	'	$277

Investments_Amortized_cost_and

Investments - Amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in available-for-sale securities, by contractual maturity (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cost	'
Mature in one year or less	$44,134
Mature after one year through three years	14,285
Mature in more than three years	21,834
Total debt securities	80,253
Securities with no contractual maturities	189,383
Total	269,636
Estimated Fair Value	'
Mature in one year or less	44,157
Mature after one year through three years	14,435
Mature in more than three years	22,504
Total debt securities	81,096
Securities with no contractual maturities	197,002
Total	$278,098

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 11, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Jun. 11, 2013	Jan. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
				Three Point Seven Five Percent Unsecured Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due In 2026 [Member]	Three Point Seven Five Percent Unsecured Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due In 2026 [Member]	"School Specialties" [Member]	"School Specialties" [Member]	Marketable Securities [Member]	Senior Notes [Member]	Senior Notes [Member]
									Convertible Senior Subordinted Notes Due 2023 [Member]	Convertible Senior Subordinted Notes Due 2023 [Member]
Investment Owned, Balance, Principal Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$11,900,000	'	'
3/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2023	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.75%	0.75%
Investment Owned, at Cost	'	'	'	9,800,000	6,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Debtor-in-Possession Financing, Amount Arranged	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,300,000	'	'	'
Shares Received in Exchange for Convertible Debentures (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	26,457	'	'	'	'
Debtor in Possession, Cash Received in Exchange for Investment in Loan	'	'	'	'	'	17,500,000	'	'	'	'
Shares Received in Exchange for Investment in Loan (in shares)	'	49,136	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debtor in Possession, Fair Value of Shares Received (in dollars per share)	'	$109	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debtor in Possession, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Investment in Loan	'	'	'	'	'	3,200,000	'	'	'	'
Debtor in Possession, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Loan	'	'	'	'	'	1,600,000	'	'	'	'
Convertible Notes Payable, Current	$346,000	'	$346,000	'	'	'	'	'	$300,000	$346,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements - Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash, including short-term deposits [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	$120,214	[1]	$68,265	[1]
Cash, including short-term deposits [Member] | Cash And Cash Equivalent [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	'		68,200
Cash, including short-term deposits [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	'		100
Cash, including short-term deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	120,214	[1]	68,265	[1]
Cash, including short-term deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Cash, including short-term deposits [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[1]	0	[1]
Mutual Funds [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	16,129	[2]	11,820	[2]
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	16,129	[2]	11,820	[2]
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[2]	0	[2]
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[2]	0	[2]
US Treasury and Government [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	50,412	[2]	99,477	[2]
US Treasury and Government [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	50,412	[2]	99,477	[2]
US Treasury and Government [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[2]	0	[2]
US Treasury and Government [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[2]	0	[2]
Corporate Securities [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	73,970	[2]	20,117	[2]
Corporate Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	67,922	[2]	20,117	[2]
Corporate Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[2]	0	[2]
Corporate Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	6,048	[2]	0	[2]
Commercial Paper [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	6,298	[3]	22,291	[4]
Commercial Paper [Member] | Cash And Cash Equivalent [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	1,700		3,400	[2]
Commercial Paper [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	4,600		18,900	[2]
Commercial Paper [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[3]	0	[4]
Commercial Paper [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	6,298	[3]	22,291	[4]
Commercial Paper [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[3]	0	[4]
Corporate Obligations [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	24,386	[2]	48,714	[2]
Corporate Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[2]	0	[2]
Corporate Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	12,573	[2]	46,931	[2]
Corporate Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	11,813	[2]	1,783	[2]
Non-controlling interests in certain funds [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	849	[5]	1,021	[6]
Non-controlling interests in certain funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[5]	0	[6]
Non-controlling interests in certain funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	0	[5]	0	[6]
Non-controlling interests in certain funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	849	[5]	1,021	[6]
Financial Assets [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	292,258		271,705
Financial Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	254,677		199,679
Financial Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	18,871		69,222
Financial Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial Assets	18,710		2,804
Acquisition-related contingent consideration [Member]	'		'
Financial Liabilities	'		-475	[7]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Financial Liabilities	'		0	[7]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Financial Liabilities	'		0	[7]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Financial Liabilities	'		($475)
[1]	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents".
[2]	Reported within bMarketable securitiesb
[3]	At September 30, 2013, the Company reported $1.7 million and $4.6 million within "Cash and cash equivalents" and "Marketable securities", respectively.
[4]	At December 31, 2012, the Company reported $3.4 million and $18.9 million within "Cash and cash equivalents" and "Marketable securities."
[5]	Reported within "Other investments".
[6]	Reported within "Other investments"
[7]	Reported within bAccrued expensesb.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Reconc

Fair Value Measurements - Reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Level 3 assets and liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Balance, Beginning	$2,804
Purchases	39,332
Sales	-22,958
Realized gain on sale	1,556
Change in fair value	-2,024
Balance, End	$18,710

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Det

Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Depreciation	$2,600,000	$2,500,000	$7,800,000	$5,300,000
Loss from discontinued operations	'	'	0	1,986,000
Loss From Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations	'	$100,000	'	'

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Sch

Property and Equipment, Net - Schedule (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	$91,472	$85,761
Accumulated depreciation	-15,604	-7,993
Property and equipment, net	75,868	77,768
Rigs and Other Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	71,845	68,404
Building and Building Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	13,295	12,019
Land [Member]	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	1,068	1,068
Vehicles [Member]	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	1,742	1,639
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	289	289
Assets in Progress [Member]	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	$3,233	$2,342

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				9 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
							Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	The Show [Member]	Steel Sports [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	$1,985	$2,635	$6,616	$5,028	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	'	'	0	'	-1,988	'	'	'	1,800	200
Goodwill	59,164	'	59,164	'	53,093	8,244	3,600	0	'	'
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	$1,988	'	$1,988	'	$1,988	'	'	'	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets, net (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$47,435	$47,435
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-14,164	-7,548
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	33,271	39,887
Steel Energy [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	47,200	47,200
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-14,062	-7,481
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	33,138	39,719
Customer Relationships [Member] | Steel Sports [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	235	235
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-102	-67
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	133	168
Customer Relationships [Member] | Steel Energy [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	43,100	43,100
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-11,986	-6,356
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	31,114	36,744
Trade Names [Member] | Steel Energy [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	4,100	4,100
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-2,076	-1,125
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$2,024	$2,975

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Aggregate Future Amortization Expense: (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Remainder of 2013	$3,115
2014	6,612
2015	5,281
2016	4,273
2017	3,158
Thereafter	10,832
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$33,271

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$53,093	$8,244
Acquisitions	6,071	46,837
Impairments	0	-1,988
Balance at end of period	59,164	53,093
Steel Energy [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	52,939	6,256
Acquisitions	0	46,683
Impairments	0	0
Balance at end of period	52,939	52,939
Steel Sports [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	154	1,988
Acquisitions	6,071	154
Impairments	0	-1,988
Balance at end of period	$6,225	$154

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Components of Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$61,152	$55,081	'
Accumulated impairment	-1,988	-1,988	'
Goodwill	$59,164	$53,093	$8,244

Longterm_Debt_Details

Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jul. 03, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Jul. 03, 2013

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Energy Credit Agreement [Member]

Sun Well Credit Agreement [Member]

Sun Well Credit Agreement [Member]

Sun Well Credit Agreement [Member]

Sun Well Credit Agreement [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Quarterly periods through June 15, 2015 [Member]

Quarterly periods through June 30, 2017 [Member]

Quarterly periods after June 30, 2017 [Member]

Quarterly periods through December 31, 2016 [Member]

Quarterly periods after December 31, 2016 [Member]

Sun Well [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Long-term Debt [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Sun Well [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Federal Funds Rate [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Partners [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Sun Well [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Steel Energy Ltd [Member]

Sun Well [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Description of variable rate basis

'

'

'

'

'

'Base Rate

'LIBOR

'Federal Funds Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis spread on variable rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

0.50%

1.50%

2.50%

2.25%

3.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

$67,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$80,000,000

$70,000,000

$67,500,000

'

'

'

$20,000,000

'

Maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

5,000,000

Borrowing base of eligible accounts receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.00%

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from dividends received

'

'

80,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized debt issuance expense

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, term (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quarterly installments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment fee percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.38%

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense

'

'

'

700,000

700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

'

'

Interest on term loans

'

'

'

500,000

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of deferred financing fees

'

'

'

200,000

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

2.75

2.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed charge coverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.15

1.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership interest percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on extinguishment of debt

$463,000

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$500,000

'

'

'

Longterm_Debt_Principal_paymen

Long-term Debt - Principal payments under the Energy Credit Agreement (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Remainder of 2013	$2,500	'
2014	10,000	'
2015	10,000	'
2016	10,000	'
2017	10,000	'
2018	25,000	'
Total	67,500	'
Less current portion	10,000	4,000
Total long-term debt	$57,500	$9,000

Other_Liabilities_Accrued_and_

Other Liabilities - Accrued and other liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued and other liabilities	$7,822	$6,103
Tax-related [Member]	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	1,136	1,197
Accrued Compensation And Related Taxes [Member]	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	3,103	3,424
Deferred revenue [Member]	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	675	299
Insurance [Member]	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	521	0
Professional services [Member]	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	248	282
Accrued fuel and rig-related charges [Member]	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	291	162
Interest [Member]	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	476	25
Other [Member]	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	$1,372	$714

Other_Liabilities_Other_longte

Other Liabilities - Other long-term liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Long-term liabilities	$10,281	$9,372
Tax-related [Member]	'	'
Other Long-term liabilities	7,340	7,340
Deferred compensation [Member]	'	'
Other Long-term liabilities	2,888	2,032
Other [Member]	'	'
Other Long-term liabilities	$53	$0

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Changes, net of tax, in Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Unrealized Gain on Securities	'	'	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2013	'	'	$927	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of taxes	'	'	6,593	'
Net current period other comprehensive income	1,245	942	4,759	560
Balance at September 30, 2013	5,686	'	5,686	'
Amounts reclassified to realized gain	'	'	-1,834	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'	'	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2013	'	'	19	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of taxes	'	'	-39	'
Amounts reclassified to realized gain	'	'	-346	'
Net current period other comprehensive income	-349	-62	-385	-70
Balance at September 30, 2013	-366	'	-366	'
Total	'	'	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2013	'	'	946	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of taxes	'	'	6,554	'
Amounts reclassified to realized gain	'	'	-2,180	'
Net current period other comprehensive income	'	'	4,374	'
Balance at September 30, 2013	$5,320	'	$5,320	'

Income_Taxes_Detail

Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
IncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$297,000	$1,105,000	$2,310,000	$15,378,000
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount	'	'	$2,800,000	$15,100,000

Segment_Information_Detail

Segment Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	segment
SegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Number of Reportable Segments (in segments)	2

Segment_Information_Operating_

Segment Information - Operating results (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$31,845	$34,293	$87,571	$73,189
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	61	3,287	178	6,306
Corporate and other business activities	-8,378	-8,917	-25,184	-21,066
Interest income, net	472	81	2,341	572
Other income (expense), net	1,329	392	1,190	-81
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	1,862	3,760	3,709	6,797
Depreciation and amortization	4,561	5,197	14,417	10,324
Steel Sports [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Revenues	6,683	1,256	9,299	2,401
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	88	-463	-1,790	-1,392
Depreciation and amortization	175	169	494	389
Steel Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Revenues	25,162	33,037	78,272	70,788
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	2,006	5,566	8,626	14,550
Depreciation and amortization	4,386	5,028	13,923	9,935
Total Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	2,094	5,103	6,836	13,158
Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Corporate and other business activities	($2,033)	($1,816)	($6,658)	($6,852)

Segment_Information_Assets_Det

Segment Information - Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total assets:	'	'
Total Assets	$520,071	$466,495
Steel Sports [Member]	'	'
Total assets:	'	'
Total Assets	22,878	7,613
Steel Energy [Member]	'	'
Total assets:	'	'
Total Assets	181,866	199,889
Corporate [Member]	'	'
Total assets:	'	'
Total Assets	$315,327	$258,993

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Reco

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted net (loss) income per share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted net (loss) income per share: [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$2,159	$4,865	$6,019	$22,175
Numerators:	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	311	0	832	0
Net income	2,470	4,865	6,851	22,175
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	484	0	-1,986
Discontinued operations	0	0	0	580
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	0	484	0	-1,406
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$2,470	$5,349	$6,851	$20,769
Denominators:	'	'	'	'
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	12,529	12,982	12,736	11,820
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based awards (in Shares)	17	19	18	20
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	12,546	13,001	12,754	11,840
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.37	$0.54	$1.88
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.04	$0	($0.12)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.41	$0.54	$1.76
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.37	$0.54	$1.87
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.04	$0	($0.12)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.41	$0.54	$1.75

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Detail) (USD $)

Aug. 23, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

SP Corporate Services LLC [Member]

SP Corporate Services LLC [Member]

SP Corporate Services LLC [Member]

SP Corporate Services LLC [Member]

SP Corporate Services LLC [Member]

SP Corporate Services LLC [Member]

WebBank [Member]

Interest Income [Member]

Interest Income [Member]

Interest Income [Member]

Interest Income [Member]

Steel Excel [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Monthly Fees for Financial Management and Administrative Services [Member]

Monthly Expanded Services [Member]

Short-term Deposits [Member]

WebBank [Member]

WebBank [Member]

WebBank [Member]

WebBank [Member]

Percentage Owned By Steel Partners [Member]

iGo, Inc. [Member]

Ownership percentage (as a percent)

44.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

53.70%

'

Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party

'

$1,000,000

$900,000

$3,000,000

$1,300,000

$35,000

$300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts Payable, Related Parties

'

200,000

'

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management Fees Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

Due from Related Parties, Current

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from Related Parties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$21,231

$32,271

$68,918

$57,997

'

'

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows: [Abstract]	'	'
Interest paid	$539	$222
Income taxes paid	1,594	0
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Issuance of common stock for acquisition of Sun Well	$0	$60,825

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_E

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details) (Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc. [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 29, 2013
Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc. [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$60