Steel Excel (SXCL) 10-Q 9 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	2-May-14
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	'	11,966,904
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000709804	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Net revenues	$45,159	$26,351
Cost of revenues	34,310	18,665
Gross profit	10,849	7,686
Operating expenses:	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8,262	5,312
Amortization of intangibles	2,641	2,400
Total operating expenses	10,903	7,712
Operating loss	-54	-26
Interest income, net	721	623
Other income, net	2,928	1,139
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity method loss	3,595	1,736
Benefit from income taxes	1,903	1,633
Loss from equity method investees, net of taxes	-1,433	0
Net income from continuing operations	4,065	3,369
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	-395
Net income	4,065	2,974
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	'	'
Continuing operations	326	20
Discontinued operations	0	316
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$4,391	$3,310
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.26
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.26
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.26
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.26
Shares used in computing income (loss) per share:	'	'
Basic (in Shares)	11,981	12,886
Diluted (in Shares)	11,999	12,909

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$4,065	$2,974
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes	0	-59
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes	3,991	2,871
Comprehensive income	8,056	5,786
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	326	336
Comprehensive income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$8,382	$6,122

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$60,285	$73,602
Marketable securities	198,965	178,485
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0	25,055	24,864
Deferred income taxes	15	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,647	4,979
Current assets of discontinued operations	31	31
Total current assets	290,998	281,961
Property and equipment, net	106,204	106,476
Goodwill	68,139	68,139
Intangible assets, net	42,257	44,388
Other investments	28,826	25,844
Investments in equity method investees	6,906	8,339
Deferred income taxes	3,732	1,556
Other long-term assets	1,647	1,754
Total assets	548,709	538,457
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	3,640	4,754
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	13,068	7,526
Current portion of long-term debt	13,214	13,214
Current portion of capital lease obligations	412	412
3/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2023	0	346
Deferred income taxes	3,838	3,612
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	987	987
Total current liabilities	35,159	30,851
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	471	572
Long-term debt, net of current portion	75,982	79,286
Deferred income taxes	2,043	0
Other long-term liabilities	3,823	3,813
Total liabilities	117,478	114,522
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	15	14
Additional paid-in capital	275,442	274,826
Accumulated other comprehensive income	10,507	6,516
Retained earnings	218,358	213,967
Treasury stock, at cost (2014 - 2,550 shares; 2013 - 2,503 shares)	-72,378	-71,001
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity	431,944	424,322
Non-controlling interest	-713	-387
Total stockholders' equity	431,231	423,935
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$548,709	$538,457

Condensed_Balance_Sheets_Paren

Condensed Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$0	$0
Par Value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Shares Authorized (in shares)	40,000	40,000
Shares Issued (in shares)	14,517	14,508
Shares Outstanding (in shares)	14,517	14,508
Treasury stock (in shares)	2,550	2,503
3/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2023 | Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes	'	'
Interest rate (as a percent)	0.75%	0.75%

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income	$4,065	$2,974
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations	0	394
Loss from equity method investees	1,433	0
Stock-based compensation expense	617	620
Depreciation and amortization	6,163	4,994
Deferred income tax benefit	-2,020	-1,818
Loss (gain) on sales of marketable securities	-2,991	23
Other	27	258
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-160	2,119
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-1,802	-1,897
Accounts payable and other liabilities	4,526	1,139
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations	0	-728
Net cash provided by operating activities	9,858	8,078
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:	'	'
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	-530	0
Purchases of property and equipment	-3,279	-2,347
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	26	0
Investments in equity method investees	0	-4,000
Purchases of marketable securities	-51,843	-47,192
Sales of marketable securities	40,579	8,315
Maturities of marketable securities	0	56,045
Other investments	-3,000	0
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations	0	-112
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-18,047	10,709
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:	'	'
Repurchases of common stock	-1,377	-2,098
Repayment of subordinated notes	-346	0
Repayments of capital lease obligations	-101	-106
Repayments of long-term debt	-3,304	-13,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-5,128	-15,204
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-13,317	3,583
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning balance	73,602	71,556
Cash and cash equivalents, ending balance	$60,285	$75,139

Description_and_Basis_of_Prese

Description and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 business provides drilling and production services to the oil and gas industry. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Steel Sports Inc., the Company’s Sports business provides event-based sports services and other health-related services. The Company also continues to identify business acquisition opportunities in other unrelated industries.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated 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, 2013. 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.
	In December 2013, the Company acquired the business and substantially all of the assets of Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc. (“Black Hawk”), a provider of drilling and production services to the oil and gas industry. The fair values recognized at December 31, 2013, were provisional pending further analysis and third-party valuations. In 2014, the Company recorded measurement period adjustments to reflect revised fair values of the assets and liabilities of Black Hawk. The Company's balance sheet at December 31, 2013, has been revised to reflect such measurement period adjustments as if they were recorded at the acquisition date (see Note 3).
	The Company shut down the operations of Ruckus Sports LLC (“Ruckus”), a provider of obstacle course and mass-participation events, in November 2013. The consolidated financial statements reflect Ruckus as a discontinued operation in all periods presented (see Note 4).
	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 March 31 and March 30 for the 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively.
	Certain other prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
NewAccountingPronouncementsAndChangesInAccountingPrinciplesTextBlockAbstract	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360), which changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. Pursuant to this pronouncement, the disposal of a component of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. This pronouncement also requires additional disclosures for discontinued operations and requires disclosures about disposals of individually significant components of an entity that do not qualify for discontinued operations presentation in the financial statements. ASU No. 2014-08 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim reporting period within those years. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2014-08 to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	On December 16, 2013, the Company acquired the business and substantially all of the assets of Black Hawk for approximately $60.8 million in cash, subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment. The fair values recognized in 2013 in connection with the Black Hawk transaction were provisional pending the Company's continued evaluation, including assessing any identifiable intangible assets acquired, and completing a valuation of the tangible and intangible assets. During 2014, the Company recorded adjustments to the initial fair values based on the Company's continued assessment of the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired, including a preliminary valuation. The following table summarizes the provisional fair values previously reported, the measurement period adjustments recognized in 2014, and the revised fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired.
		Previously Reported			Measurement Period Adjustments			Revised
		(in thousands)
	Accounts receivable	$	9,663		$	(40	)	$	9,623
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	208			420			628
	Property and equipment	30,581			93			30,674
	Intangible assets	—			12,160			12,160
	Accounts payable	(1,333		)	(251		)	(1,584		)
	Accrued expenses	(1,756		)	(167		)	(1,923		)
	Total identifiable net assets acquired	37,363			12,215			49,578
	Goodwill	23,400			(12,215		)	11,185
	Net assets acquired	$	60,763		$	—		$	60,763
	The intangible assets acquired represented customer relationships, a trade name, and a non-compete arrangement with estimated fair values of $11.3 million, $0.8 million, and $0.1 million, respectively. The intangible assets are being amortized over five-year periods. The revised amounts are subject to further revision pending the Company's continued assessment of the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired, including completion of the valuation. The Company's balance sheet at December 31, 2013, has been revised to reflect the measurement period adjustments as if they had been recognized at the acquisition date. The measurement period adjustments did not have a material effect on the Company's statement of operations.
	In February 2014, UK Elite Soccer, Inc. ("UK Elite"), the Sports segment soccer operation, acquired the business and assets of a provider of soccer clinics and camps for approximately $0.5 million in cash. In connection with this acquisition, the Company recognized approximately $0.5 million in intangible assets representing customer relationships.
	The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2013, combines the results of operations of the Company with the results of operations of Black Hawk and UK Elite, which were acquired in December 2013 and June 2013, respectively, as if those acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the year prior to the date of acquisition. The pro forma financial information does not include the results of Ruckus, which was acquired in January 2013 and is reported as a discontinued operation in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what would have actually occurred had the acquisitions been consummated at the beginning of the year prior to the date of acquisition or results that may occur in the future.
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Net revenues	$	41,747
	Net income from continuing operations	$	3,281
	Net income	$	2,886
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	3,255

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	In November 2013, the Company shut down the operations of Ruckus after it did not meet operational and financial expectations. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, Ruckus did not report any revenues and incurred a loss from discontinued operations of $0.4 million.

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	Marketable Securities
	All of the Company's marketable securities at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, were classified as "available-for-sale" securities, with changes in fair value recognized in stockholders' equity as "other comprehensive income (loss)". Marketable securities at March 31, 2014, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	41,035			$	—			$	—			$	41,035
	Mutual funds	15,722				4,945				—				20,667
	United States government securities	23,889				26				—				23,915
	Corporate securities	105,272				13,881				(3,957		)		115,196
	Corporate obligations	35,949				1,642				(3		)		37,588
	Commercial paper	4,499				—				—				4,499
	Total available-for-sale securities	226,366				20,494				(3,960		)		242,900
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(43,935		)		—				—				(43,935		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	182,431			$	20,494			$	(3,960	)		$	198,965
	Marketable securities at December 31, 2013, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	60,909			$	—			$	—			$	60,909
	Mutual funds	15,722				5,061				—				20,783
	United States government securities	50,356				23				—				50,379
	Corporate securities	69,806				9,961				(5,208		)		74,559
	Corporate obligations	31,356				885				(276		)		31,965
	Commercial paper	1,799				—				—				1,799
	Total available-for-sale securities	229,948				15,930				(5,484		)		240,394
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(61,909		)		—				—				(61,909		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	168,039			$	15,930			$	(5,484	)		$	178,485
	Proceeds from sales of marketable securities were $40.6 million and $8.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 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 ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Gross realized gains	$	3,200			$	1,258
	Gross realized losses	(209		)		(42		)
	Realized gains, net	$	2,991			$	1,216
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2014, 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	$	30,339			$	(3,299	)		$	551			$	(658	)		$	30,890			$	(3,957	)
	Corporate obligations	1,045				(3		)		—				—				1,045				(3		)
	Total	$	31,384			$	(3,302	)		$	551			$	(658	)		$	31,935			$	(3,960	)
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 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	$	15,609			$	(4,757	)		$	803			$	(451	)		$	16,412			$	(5,208	)
	Corporate obligations	10,477				(276		)		—				—				10,477				(276		)
	Total	$	26,086			$	(5,033	)		$	803			$	(451	)		$	26,889			$	(5,484	)
	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 March 31, 2014, 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 March 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
		Cost				Estimated
						Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Debt securities:
	Mature in one year or less	$	9,029			$	9,030
	Mature after one year through three years	21,681				21,812
Mature in more than three years	33,627				35,160
Total debt securities	64,337				66,002
Securities with no contractual maturities	162,029				176,898
Total	$	226,366			$	242,900
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. In August 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 44.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of iGo.
The following table summarizes the Company's equity method investments.
	Ownership						Carrying Value								Income (Loss) Recognized
															Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2013
							(in thousands)
Again Faster	40	%		40	%		$	3,542			$	3,671			$	(129	)		$	—
iGo	44.7	%		44.7	%		3,364				4,668				(1,304		)		—
Total							$	6,906			$	8,339			$	(1,433	)		$	—
Based on the closing market price of iGo’s publicly-traded shares, the value of the Company’s investment in iGo was approximately $4.1 million at March 31, 2014.
The Company recognizes its equity in the losses of iGo on a one-quarter lag basis. The following table presents summarized income statement information for iGo for the three months ended December 31, 2013, the period on which the loss recognized by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was based.
	Amount
	(in thousands)
Revenues	$	3,210
Gross loss	$	(1,146	)
Net loss	$	(2,917	)
Other Investments
The Company's other investments at March 31, 2014, include a $25.0 million cost-method investment in a limited partnership that co-invested with other private investment funds in a public company. The investment in the limited partnership had an approximate fair value of $28.5 million at March 31, 2014, based on the net asset value indicated in the monthly statement received from the partnership. The Company's other investments at March 31, 2014, also include investments in two venture capital funds totaling $0.8 million and a promissory note with an amortized cost of $3.0 million, which is a reasonable approximation of fair value at March 31, 2014.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 determines the fair value of certain corporate securities and corporate obligations by incorporating and reviewing prices provided by third-party pricing services based on the specific features of the underlying securities.
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2014, summarized by measurement input category, were as follows:
		Total				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash, including short-term deposits(1)	$	57,385			$	57,385	$	—	$	—
	Mutual funds(2)	20,667				20,667		—		—
	United States government securities(2)	23,915				23,915		—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	115,196				107,259		—		7,937
	Commercial paper(3)	4,499				—		4,499		—
	Corporate obligations(2)	37,588				—		15,960		21,628
	Investments in certain funds(4)	826				—		—		826
	Total	$	260,076			$	209,226	$	20,459	$	30,391
	-1	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents".
	-2	Reported within “Marketable securities”.
	-3	$2.9 million reported within "Cash and cash equivalents" and $1.6 million reported within "Marketable securities."
	-4	Reported within "Other investments".
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 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)	$	72,602			$	72,602	$	—	$	—
	Mutual funds(2)	20,783				20,783		—		—
	United States government securities(2)	50,379				50,379		—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	74,559				68,624		—		5,935
	Commercial paper(3)	1,799				—		1,799		—
	Corporate obligations(2)	31,965				—		14,535		17,430
	Investments in certain funds(4)	844				—		—		844
	Total	$	252,931			$	212,388	$	16,334	$	24,209
	-1	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents."
	-2	Reported within “Marketable securities.”
	-3	$1.0 million reported within "Cash and cash equivalents" and $0.8 million reported within "Marketable securities."
	-4	Reported within "Other investments."
	There were no transfers of securities among the various measurement input levels during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	Changes in the fair value of assets valued using Level 3 measurement inputs during the three months ended March 31, 2014, were as follows:
				Amount
				(in thousands)
	Balance, January 1, 2014			$	24,209
	Purchases			5,299
	Sales			(1,974		)
	Unrealized gains recognized in other comprehensive income			2,857
	Balance, March 31, 2014			$	30,391
	The Company’s 3/4% Convertible Senior Notes due December 22, 2023, had a carrying value of approximately $0.3 million at December 31, 2013, which was a reasonable approximation of fair value. The Company redeemed all outstanding Convertible Senior Notes in January 2014 with a cash payment of $0.3 million.

Property_and_Equipment_Net

Property and Equipment Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment, Net	'
	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Rigs and other equipment	$	102,208		$	100,912
	Buildings and improvements	19,370			19,167
	Land	1,164			1,164
	Vehicles	1,905			1,869
	Furniture and fixtures	576			512
	Assets in progress	2,756			1,114
		127,979			124,738
	Accumulated depreciation	(21,775		)	(18,262		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	106,204		$	106,476
	The amounts at December 31, 2013, have been revised to reflect measurement period adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2014, related to Black Hawk as if they had been recognized at the acquisition date (see Note 3). Depreciation expense was $3.5 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The Company's intangible assets at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, all of which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Cost			Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Energy segment:
	Customer relationships	$	54,380		$	(15,970	)	$	38,410	$	54,380	$	(13,700	)	$	40,680
	Trade names	4,860			(2,584		)	2,276		4,860		(2,315		)	2,545
	Non-compete agreement	120			(7		)	113		120		—			120
		59,360			(18,561		)	40,799		59,360		(16,015		)	43,345
	Sports segment:
	Customer relationships	1,673			(318		)	1,355		1,163		(230		)	933
	Trade names	122			(19		)	103		122		(12		)	110
		1,795			(337		)	1,458		1,285		(242		)	1,043
	Total	$	61,155		$	(18,898	)	$	42,257	$	60,645	$	(16,257	)	$	44,388
	The amounts for the Energy segment at December 31, 2013, have been revised to reflect measurement period adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2014, related to Black Hawk as if they had been recognized at the acquisition date (see Note 3).
	Amortization expense was $2.6 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 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 2014				$	6,878
	2015				8,097
	2016				7,088
	2017				5,858
	2018				5,168
	Thereafter				9,168
	Total				$	42,257
	The changes to the Company’s carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014								Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Energy			Sports			Total		Energy		Sports			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	65,968		$	2,171		$	68,139	$	52,939	$	154		$	53,093
	Acquisitions (see Note 3)	—			—			—		11,185		5,594			16,779
	Adjustments to fair value	—			—			—		1,844		—			1,844
	Impairments	—			—			—		—		(3,577		)	(3,577		)
	Balance at end of period	$	65,968		$	2,171		$	68,139	$	65,968	$	2,171		$	68,139
	The amounts for the Energy segment at December 31, 2013, have been revised to reflect measurement period adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2014, related to Black Hawk as if they had been recognized at the acquisition date (see Note 3). The adjustment to fair value in 2013 represents an adjustment to reflect additional acquisition-date deferred income tax liabilities and non-current deferred compensation obligations related to the acquisition of Sun Well Service, Inc. (“Sun Well”) in May 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment of $3.6 million related to shutdown of Ruckus.
	The components of goodwill at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, were as follows:
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Goodwill	$	73,704		$	73,704
	Accumulated impairment	(5,565		)	(5,565		)
	Net goodwill	$	68,139		$	68,139

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt	'
	Long-term Debt
	In 2013, Steel Energy entered into a credit agreement, as amended (the “Amended Credit Agreement”), with Wells Fargo Bank National Association, RBS Citizens, N.A., and Comerica Bank that provided for a borrowing capacity of $105.0 million consisting of a $95.0 million secured term loan (the “Term Loan”) 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 Amended Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all the assets of Steel Energy and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Sun Well, Rogue Pressure Services, LLC (“Rogue”), and Black Hawk, and a pledge of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Sun Well, Rogue, and Black Hawk. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement are fully guaranteed by Sun Well, Rogue, and Black Hawk. The carrying values as of March 31, 2014, of the assets pledged as collateral by Steel Energy and its subsidiaries under the Amended Credit Agreement were as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	14,523
	Accounts receivable	24,328
	Property and equipment, net	97,702
	Intangible assets, net	40,798
	Total	$	177,351
	The Amended Credit Agreement has a term that runs through July 2018, with the Term Loan amortizing in quarterly installments of $3.3 million and a balloon payment due on the maturity date. At March 31, 2014, $89.2 million was outstanding under the Term Loan and no amount was outstanding under the Revolving Loans. Principal payments under the Amended Credit Agreement for the remainder of 2014 and subsequent years are as follows:
				Amount
				(in thousands)
	Remainder of 2014			$	9,911
	2015			13,214
	2016			13,214
	2017			13,214
	2018			39,643
	Total			89,196
	Less current portion			13,214
	Total long-term debt			$	75,982
	The interest rate on the borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement was 3.0% at March 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company incurred interest expense of $0.8 million in connection with the Amended Credit Agreement, consisting of $0.7 million in interest on the Term Loans and $0.1 million of amortization of deferred financing fees. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of March 31, 2014.
	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 2013 and the facility was terminated in July 2013. For three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company incurred interest expense of $0.2 million in connection with the Sun Well Credit Agreement.

Other_Liabilities

Other Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
OtherLiabilitiesDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Other Liabilities	'
	Other Liabilities
	“Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation and related taxes	$	4,255	$	4,207
	Deferred revenue	2,799		857
	Insurance	3,992		310
	Professional services	660		608
	Accrued fuel and rig-related charges	514		652
	Tax-related	258		385
	Other	590		507
	Total	$	13,068	$	7,526
	“Other long-term liabilities” consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Deferred compensation	$	3,718	$	3,709
	Tax-related	105		104
	Total	$	3,823	$	3,813

Interest_and_Other_Income

Interest and Other Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]	'
Interest and Other Income	'
	Interest and Other Income
	“Interest income, net” consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest income	$	1,589		$	794
	Interest expense	(868		)	(171		)
	Interest income, net	$	721		$	623
	"Other income (expense), net" consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Realized gain on sale of marketable securities, net	$	2,991		$	1,216
	Other	(63		)	(77		)
	Other income, net	$	2,928		$	1,139

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 $1.9 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily due to a partial reversal of the Company's valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. In the 2014 and 2013 periods, the Company reversed $2.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of the valuation allowance as a result of recognizing deferred tax liabilities related to unrealized gains on marketable securities recorded during the period.

Stock_Benefit_Plans

Stock Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
DisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlockAbstract	'
Stock Benefit Plans	'
	Stock Benefit Plans
	The Company grants equity-based awards to employees under its 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2004 Plan”), and grants equity-based awards to non-employee directors under its 2006 Director Plan, as amended (the "2006 Plan", and together with the “2004 Plan”, 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 months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock options	$	22	$	25
	Restricted stock	595		595
	Total stock-based compensation	$	617	$	620
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company granted 9,105 shares of restricted stock to its employees. The Company did not grant any stock options during the first three months of 2014.

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
EarningsPerShareTextBlockAbstract	'
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	'
	Net Income (Loss) Per Share
	Basic net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel per share of common stock is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel 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 months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerators:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	4,065	$	3,369
	Non-controlling interest	326		20
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	4,391	$	3,389
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	(395	)
	Non-controlling interest	—		316
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	—	$	(79	)
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	4,391	$	3,310
	Denominators:
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	11,981		12,886
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock-based awards	18		23
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	11,999		12,909
	Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.37	$	0.26
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	(0.01	)
	Net income	$	0.37	$	0.26
	Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.37	$	0.26
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	(0.01	)
	Net income	$	0.37	$	0.26

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Changes in the components of "Accumulated other comprehensive income" were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014									Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Unrealized			Cumulative			Total			Unrealized			Cumulative			Total
		Gain on			Translation						Gain on			Translation
		Securities			Adjustment						Securities			Adjustment
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	6,921		$	(405	)	$	6,516		$	927		$	19		$	946
	Unrealized gain (loss) - pretax	8,023			—			8,023			5,854			(59		)	5,795
	Tax effect on unrealized gain	(2,764		)	—			(2,764		)	(2,230		)	—			(2,230		)
	Unrealized gain (loss) - net of tax	5,259			—			5,259			3,624			(59		)	3,565
	Reclassification to realized gain - pretax	(1,934		)	—			(1,934		)	(1,216		)	—			(1,216		)
	Tax effect on reclassification	666			—			666			463			—			463
	Reclassification to realized gain - net of tax	(1,268		)	—			(1,268		)	(753		)	—			(753		)
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	3,991			—			3,991			2,871			(59		)	2,812
	Balance at end of period	$	10,912		$	(405	)	$	10,507		$	3,798		$	(40	)	$	3,758

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues
	Energy	$	43,913		$	26,039
	Sports	1,246			312
	Total revenues	$	45,159		$	26,351
	Operating income (loss)
	Energy	$	5,467		$	3,227
	Sports	(2,032		)	(986		)
	Total segment operating income	3,435			2,241
	Corporate and other business activities	(3,489		)	(2,267		)
	Interest income, net	721			623
	Other income, net	2,928			1,139
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity method loss	$	3,595		$	1,736
	Depreciation and amortization expense:
	Energy	$	5,793		$	4,855
	Sports	370			139
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	6,163		$	4,994
	Segment information related to the Company's assets was as follows:
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Sports	$	18,718		$	20,495
	Energy	247,780			244,164
	Corporate and other business activities	282,211			273,798
	Total assets	$	548,709		$	538,457

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
RelatedPartyTransactionsDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	SPLP beneficially owned approximately 55.2% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of March 31, 2014. 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 L. 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.
	Effective January 1, 2014, the services provided by SP Corporate Services LLC (“SP Corporate”), a SPLP affiliate, were expanded, with the Company paying SP Corporate $0.7 million per month for such services. The services agreement with SP Corporate and subsequent amendments were 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 March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred expenses of $2.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, related to services provided by SP Corporate and reimbursements of expenses incurred on its behalf by SP Corporate and its affiliates. The Company owed SP Corporate and its affiliates $0.5 million at March 31, 2014.
	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 $15.2 million of short-term deposits at WebBank, an affiliate of SPLP, and recorded interest income of $7,000 and $25,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
CashFlowSupplementalDisclosuresTextBlockAbstract	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	The Company did not have any non-cash investing and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. Cash paid for interest and income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest paid	$	735	$	192
	Income taxes paid	$	44	$	130

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation	'
	The following table summarizes the provisional fair values previously reported, the measurement period adjustments recognized in 2014, and the revised fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired.
		Previously Reported			Measurement Period Adjustments			Revised
		(in thousands)
	Accounts receivable	$	9,663		$	(40	)	$	9,623
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	208			420			628
	Property and equipment	30,581			93			30,674
	Intangible assets	—			12,160			12,160
	Accounts payable	(1,333		)	(251		)	(1,584		)
	Accrued expenses	(1,756		)	(167		)	(1,923		)
	Total identifiable net assets acquired	37,363			12,215			49,578
	Goodwill	23,400			(12,215		)	11,185
	Net assets acquired	$	60,763		$	—		$	60,763
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	'
	The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what would have actually occurred had the acquisitions been consummated at the beginning of the year prior to the date of acquisition or results that may occur in the future.
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Net revenues	$	41,747
	Net income from continuing operations	$	3,281
	Net income	$	2,886
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	3,255

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investment	'
	Marketable securities at March 31, 2014, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	41,035			$	—			$	—			$	41,035
	Mutual funds	15,722				4,945				—				20,667
	United States government securities	23,889				26				—				23,915
	Corporate securities	105,272				13,881				(3,957		)		115,196
	Corporate obligations	35,949				1,642				(3		)		37,588
	Commercial paper	4,499				—				—				4,499
	Total available-for-sale securities	226,366				20,494				(3,960		)		242,900
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(43,935		)		—				—				(43,935		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	182,431			$	20,494			$	(3,960	)		$	198,965
	Marketable securities at December 31, 2013, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	60,909			$	—			$	—			$	60,909
	Mutual funds	15,722				5,061				—				20,783
	United States government securities	50,356				23				—				50,379
	Corporate securities	69,806				9,961				(5,208		)		74,559
	Corporate obligations	31,356				885				(276		)		31,965
	Commercial paper	1,799				—				—				1,799
	Total available-for-sale securities	229,948				15,930				(5,484		)		240,394
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(61,909		)		—				—				(61,909		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	168,039			$	15,930			$	(5,484	)		$	178,485
Available-for-sale Securities	'
	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 ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Gross realized gains	$	3,200			$	1,258
	Gross realized losses	(209		)		(42		)
	Realized gains, net	$	2,991			$	1,216
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	'
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2014, 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	$	30,339			$	(3,299	)		$	551			$	(658	)		$	30,890			$	(3,957	)
	Corporate obligations	1,045				(3		)		—				—				1,045				(3		)
	Total	$	31,384			$	(3,302	)		$	551			$	(658	)		$	31,935			$	(3,960	)
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 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	$	15,609			$	(4,757	)		$	803			$	(451	)		$	16,412			$	(5,208	)
	Corporate obligations	10,477				(276		)		—				—				10,477				(276		)
	Total	$	26,086			$	(5,033	)		$	803			$	(451	)		$	26,889			$	(5,484	)
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	'
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale debt securities at March 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
		Cost				Estimated
						Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Debt securities:
	Mature in one year or less	$	9,029			$	9,030
	Mature after one year through three years	21,681				21,812
	Mature in more than three years	33,627				35,160
	Total debt securities	64,337				66,002
	Securities with no contractual maturities	162,029				176,898
	Total	$	226,366			$	242,900
Equity Method Investments	'
	The following table presents summarized income statement information for iGo for the three months ended December 31, 2013, the period on which the loss recognized by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was based.
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Revenues	$	3,210
	Gross loss	$	(1,146	)
	Net loss	$	(2,917	)
	The following table summarizes the Company's equity method investments.
		Ownership						Carrying Value								Income (Loss) Recognized
																Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013				March 31, 2014				March 31, 2013
								(in thousands)
	Again Faster	40	%		40	%		$	3,542			$	3,671			$	(129	)		$	—
	iGo	44.7	%		44.7	%		3,364				4,668				(1,304		)		—
	Total							$	6,906			$	8,339			$	(1,433	)		$	—

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
FairValueDisclosuresTextBlockAbstract	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 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)	$	72,602			$	72,602	$	—	$	—
	Mutual funds(2)	20,783				20,783		—		—
	United States government securities(2)	50,379				50,379		—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	74,559				68,624		—		5,935
	Commercial paper(3)	1,799				—		1,799		—
	Corporate obligations(2)	31,965				—		14,535		17,430
	Investments in certain funds(4)	844				—		—		844
	Total	$	252,931			$	212,388	$	16,334	$	24,209
	-1	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents."
	-2	Reported within “Marketable securities.”
	-3	$1.0 million reported within "Cash and cash equivalents" and $0.8 million reported within "Marketable securities."
	-4	Reported within "Other investments."
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2014, summarized by measurement input category, were as follows:
		Total				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash, including short-term deposits(1)	$	57,385			$	57,385	$	—	$	—
	Mutual funds(2)	20,667				20,667		—		—
	United States government securities(2)	23,915				23,915		—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	115,196				107,259		—		7,937
	Commercial paper(3)	4,499				—		4,499		—
	Corporate obligations(2)	37,588				—		15,960		21,628
	Investments in certain funds(4)	826				—		—		826
	Total	$	260,076			$	209,226	$	20,459	$	30,391
	-1	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents".
	-2	Reported within “Marketable securities”.
	-3	$2.9 million reported within "Cash and cash equivalents" and $1.6 million reported within "Marketable securities."
	-4	Reported within "Other investments".
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	'
	Changes in the fair value of assets valued using Level 3 measurement inputs during the three months ended March 31, 2014, were as follows:
				Amount
				(in thousands)
	Balance, January 1, 2014			$	24,209
	Purchases			5,299
	Sales			(1,974		)
	Unrealized gains recognized in other comprehensive income			2,857
	Balance, March 31, 2014			$	30,391

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Tab

Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Rigs and other equipment	$	102,208		$	100,912
	Buildings and improvements	19,370			19,167
	Land	1,164			1,164
	Vehicles	1,905			1,869
	Furniture and fixtures	576			512
	Assets in progress	2,756			1,114
		127,979			124,738
	Accumulated depreciation	(21,775		)	(18,262		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	106,204		$	106,476

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	'
	The Company's intangible assets at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, all of which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Cost			Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Energy segment:
	Customer relationships	$	54,380		$	(15,970	)	$	38,410	$	54,380	$	(13,700	)	$	40,680
	Trade names	4,860			(2,584		)	2,276		4,860		(2,315		)	2,545
	Non-compete agreement	120			(7		)	113		120		—			120
		59,360			(18,561		)	40,799		59,360		(16,015		)	43,345
	Sports segment:
	Customer relationships	1,673			(318		)	1,355		1,163		(230		)	933
	Trade names	122			(19		)	103		122		(12		)	110
		1,795			(337		)	1,458		1,285		(242		)	1,043
	Total	$	61,155		$	(18,898	)	$	42,257	$	60,645	$	(16,257	)	$	44,388
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	'
	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 2014				$	6,878
	2015				8,097
	2016				7,088
	2017				5,858
	2018				5,168
	Thereafter				9,168
	Total				$	42,257
Schedule of Goodwill	'
	The changes to the Company’s carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014								Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Energy			Sports			Total		Energy		Sports			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	65,968		$	2,171		$	68,139	$	52,939	$	154		$	53,093
	Acquisitions (see Note 3)	—			—			—		11,185		5,594			16,779
	Adjustments to fair value	—			—			—		1,844		—			1,844
	Impairments	—			—			—		—		(3,577		)	(3,577		)
	Balance at end of period	$	65,968		$	2,171		$	68,139	$	65,968	$	2,171		$	68,139
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill	'
	The components of goodwill at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, were as follows:
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Goodwill	$	73,704		$	73,704
	Accumulated impairment	(5,565		)	(5,565		)
	Net goodwill	$	68,139		$	68,139

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Assets Pledged as Collateral	'
	The carrying values as of March 31, 2014, of the assets pledged as collateral by Steel Energy and its subsidiaries under the Amended Credit Agreement were as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	14,523
	Accounts receivable	24,328
	Property and equipment, net	97,702
	Intangible assets, net	40,798
	Total	$	177,351
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	'
	Principal payments under the Amended Credit Agreement for the remainder of 2014 and subsequent years are as follows:
				Amount
				(in thousands)
	Remainder of 2014			$	9,911
	2015			13,214
	2016			13,214
	2017			13,214
	2018			39,643
	Total			89,196
	Less current portion			13,214
	Total long-term debt			$	75,982

Other_Liabilities_Tables

Other Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
OtherLiabilitiesDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	'
	“Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation and related taxes	$	4,255	$	4,207
	Deferred revenue	2,799		857
	Insurance	3,992		310
	Professional services	660		608
	Accrued fuel and rig-related charges	514		652
	Tax-related	258		385
	Other	590		507
	Total	$	13,068	$	7,526
Schedule of Other Long-Term Liabilities	'
	“Other long-term liabilities” consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Deferred compensation	$	3,718	$	3,709
	Tax-related	105		104
	Total	$	3,823	$	3,813

Interest_and_Other_Income_Tabl

Interest and Other Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Interest Income, Net	'
	“Interest income, net” consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest income	$	1,589		$	794
	Interest expense	(868		)	(171		)
	Interest income, net	$	721		$	623
Schedule of Other Income (Expense), Net	'
	"Other income (expense), net" consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Realized gain on sale of marketable securities, net	$	2,991		$	1,216
	Other	(63		)	(77		)
	Other income, net	$	2,928		$	1,139

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Stock Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
DisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlockAbstract	'
Stock-based compensation expense by type of award	'
	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 months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock options	$	22	$	25
	Restricted stock	595		595
	Total stock-based compensation	$	617	$	620

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
EarningsPerShareTextBlockAbstract	'
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share	'
	Amounts used in the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerators:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	4,065	$	3,369
	Non-controlling interest	326		20
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	4,391	$	3,389
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	(395	)
	Non-controlling interest	—		316
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	—	$	(79	)
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	4,391	$	3,310
	Denominators:
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	11,981		12,886
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock-based awards	18		23
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	11,999		12,909
	Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.37	$	0.26
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	(0.01	)
	Net income	$	0.37	$	0.26
	Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.37	$	0.26
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	(0.01	)
	Net income	$	0.37	$	0.26

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Changes in the components of "Accumulated other comprehensive income" were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014									Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		Unrealized			Cumulative			Total			Unrealized			Cumulative			Total
		Gain on			Translation						Gain on			Translation
		Securities			Adjustment						Securities			Adjustment
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	6,921		$	(405	)	$	6,516		$	927		$	19		$	946
	Unrealized gain (loss) - pretax	8,023			—			8,023			5,854			(59		)	5,795
	Tax effect on unrealized gain	(2,764		)	—			(2,764		)	(2,230		)	—			(2,230		)
	Unrealized gain (loss) - net of tax	5,259			—			5,259			3,624			(59		)	3,565
	Reclassification to realized gain - pretax	(1,934		)	—			(1,934		)	(1,216		)	—			(1,216		)
	Tax effect on reclassification	666			—			666			463			—			463
	Reclassification to realized gain - net of tax	(1,268		)	—			(1,268		)	(753		)	—			(753		)
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	3,991			—			3,991			2,871			(59		)	2,812
	Balance at end of period	$	10,912		$	(405	)	$	10,507		$	3,798		$	(40	)	$	3,758

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
SegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	'
	Segment information relating to the Company's results of continuing operations was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues
	Energy	$	43,913		$	26,039
	Sports	1,246			312
	Total revenues	$	45,159		$	26,351
	Operating income (loss)
	Energy	$	5,467		$	3,227
	Sports	(2,032		)	(986		)
	Total segment operating income	3,435			2,241
	Corporate and other business activities	(3,489		)	(2,267		)
	Interest income, net	721			623
	Other income, net	2,928			1,139
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity method loss	$	3,595		$	1,736
	Depreciation and amortization expense:
	Energy	$	5,793		$	4,855
	Sports	370			139
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	6,163		$	4,994
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	'
	Segment information related to the Company's assets was as follows:
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Sports	$	18,718		$	20,495
	Energy	247,780			244,164
	Corporate and other business activities	282,211			273,798
	Total assets	$	548,709		$	538,457

Supplemental_Cash_Flows_Inform

Supplemental Cash Flows Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
CashFlowSupplementalDisclosuresTextBlockAbstract	'
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures	'
	Cash paid for interest and income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest paid	$	735	$	192
	Income taxes paid	$	44	$	130

Description_and_Basis_of_Prese1

Description and Basis of Presentation (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	segment
BusinessDescriptionAndBasisOfPresentationTextBlockAbstract	'
Number of reportable segments (in segments)	2

Acquisitions_Detail

Acquisitions (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 16, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 16, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 16, 2013	Dec. 16, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014
	Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc.	Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc.	Customer relationships	Trade names	Trade names	Non-compete agreement	UK Elite Soccer, Inc.
			Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc.	Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc.	Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc.	Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc.	Provider of Soccer Clinics
Intangible assets	'	$12,160,000	$11,300,000	'	$800,000	$100,000	$500,000
Amortization period (in years)	'	'	'	'5 years	'	'	'
Consideration transferred	$60,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	$500,000

Acquisitions_Purchase_Price_Al

Acquisitions - Purchase Price Allocation (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 16, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc.	Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc.	Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc.
					Previously Reported	Measurement Period Adjustments
Accounts receivable	'	'	'	$9,623	$9,663	($40)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	'	'	'	628	208	420
Property and equipment	'	'	'	30,674	30,581	93
Intangible assets	'	'	'	12,160	0	12,160
Accounts payable	'	'	'	-1,584	-1,333	-251
Accrued expenses	'	'	'	-1,923	-1,756	-167
Total identifiable net assets acquired	'	'	'	49,578	37,363	12,215
Goodwill	68,139	68,139	53,093	11,185	23,400	-12,215
Net assets acquired	'	'	'	$60,763	$60,763	$0

Acquisitions_Pro_Forma_Financi

Acquisitions - Pro Forma Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Net revenues	$41,747
Net income from continuing operations	3,281
Net income	2,886
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$3,255

Discontinued_Operations_Revenu

Discontinued Operations - Revenues and the components of income related to discontinued operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$0	($395)
Ruckus Sports LLC	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	'	($400)

Investments_Detail

Investments (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 23, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Venture Capital Funds

Promissory Note

Again Faster

iGo

iGo

iGo

Again Faster

Again Faster

Again Faster

Partnership

Partnership

investment

Venture Capital Funds

Sales of marketable securities

$40,579,000

$8,315,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Membership interest (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

'

'

Total cash consideration

'

'

'

'

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares acquired (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,316,866

'

'

'

'

'

Total consideration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership

'

'

'

'

'

'

44.70%

44.70%

44.70%

40.00%

40.00%

'

'

'

Value of investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of investments

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost-method investments

28,826,000

'

25,844,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000,000

'

Fair value of cost method investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,500,000

'

Other investments

'

'

'

'

$3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$800,000

Investments_Portfolio_of_marke

Investments - Portfolio of marketable securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	$226,366	$229,948
Gross Unrealized Gains	20,494	15,930
Gross Unrealized Losses	-3,960	-5,484
Estimated Fair Value	242,900	240,394
Amounts classified as cash equivalents	-43,935	-61,909
Cash equivalents estimated fair value	-43,935	-61,909
Marketable securities cost	182,431	168,039
Marketable securities estimated fair value	198,965	178,485
Short-term deposits	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	41,035	60,909
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	41,035	60,909
Mutual funds	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	15,722	15,722
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,945	5,061
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	20,667	20,783
United States government securities	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	23,889	50,356
Gross Unrealized Gains	26	23
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	23,915	50,379
Corporate securities	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	105,272	69,806
Gross Unrealized Gains	13,881	9,961
Gross Unrealized Losses	-3,957	-5,208
Estimated Fair Value	115,196	74,559
Corporate obligations	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	35,949	31,356
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,642	885
Gross Unrealized Losses	-3	-276
Estimated Fair Value	37,588	31,965
Commercial paper	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	4,499	1,799
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	$4,499	$1,799

Investments_Fair_value_and_gro

Investments - Fair value and gross unrealized losses of the available for sale securities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Gross realized gains	$3,200	$1,258	'
Gross realized losses	-209	-42	'
Realized gains, net	2,991	1,216	'
Unrealized loss position less than 12 months, fair value	31,384	'	26,086
Unrealized loss position, less than 12 month, gross unrealized losses	-3,302	'	-5,033
Unrealized loss position, 12 months or greater, fair value	551	'	803
Unrealized loss position, 12 month or greater, gross unrealized losses	-658	'	-451
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	31,935	'	26,889
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	-3,960	'	-5,484
Corporate securities	'	'	'
Unrealized loss position less than 12 months, fair value	30,339	'	15,609
Unrealized loss position, less than 12 month, gross unrealized losses	-3,299	'	-4,757
Unrealized loss position, 12 months or greater, fair value	551	'	803
Unrealized loss position, 12 month or greater, gross unrealized losses	-658	'	-451
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	30,890	'	16,412
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	-3,957	'	-5,208
Corporate obligations	'	'	'
Unrealized loss position less than 12 months, fair value	1,045	'	10,477
Unrealized loss position, less than 12 month, gross unrealized losses	-3	'	-276
Unrealized loss position, 12 months or greater, fair value	0	'	0
Unrealized loss position, 12 month or greater, gross unrealized losses	0	'	0
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	1,045	'	10,477
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	($3)	'	($276)

Investments_Amortized_cost_and

Investments - Amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in available-for-sale securities, by contractual maturity (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cost	'
Mature in one year or less	$9,029
Mature after one year through three years	21,681
Mature in more than three years	33,627
Total debt securities	64,337
Securities with no contractual maturities	162,029
Total	226,366
Estimated Fair Value	'
Mature in one year or less	9,030
Mature after one year through three years	21,812
Mature in more than three years	35,160
Total debt securities	66,002
Securities with no contractual maturities	176,898
Total	$242,900

Investments_Equity_Method_Inve

Investments - Equity Method Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 23, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Carrying Value	$6,906	'	$8,339	'
Income (Loss) Recognized	-1,433	0	'	'
Again Faster	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Ownership	40.00%	'	40.00%	'
Carrying Value	3,542	'	3,671	'
Income (Loss) Recognized	-129	0	'	'
iGo	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Ownership	44.70%	'	44.70%	44.70%
Carrying Value	3,364	'	4,668	'
Income (Loss) Recognized	($1,304)	$0	'	'

Investments_Investments_Summar

Investments Investments - Summarized Income Statement Information for iGo (Details) (iGo, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
iGo	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Revenues	$3,210
Gross loss	-1,146
Net loss	($2,917)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
				Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes	Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes	Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes	Cash And Cash Equivalents	Marketable Securities
				3/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2023	3/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2023	3/4% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2023
Financial assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,000	$800
Carrying value	0	'	346	'	'	300	'	'
Interest rate (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	0.75%	0.75%	'	'
Repayments of Long-term Debt	$3,304	$13,000	'	$300	'	'	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements - Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash And Cash Equivalents	'		'
Assets	'		$1,000
Marketable Securities	'		'
Assets	'		800
Cash, including short-term deposits	'		'
Assets	57,385	[1]	72,602
Cash, including short-term deposits | Level 1	'		'
Assets	57,385	[1]	72,602
Cash, including short-term deposits | Level 2	'		'
Assets	0	[1]	0
Cash, including short-term deposits | Level 3	'		'
Assets	0	[1]	0
Mutual funds	'		'
Assets	20,667	[2]	20,783
Mutual funds | Level 1	'		'
Assets	20,667	[2]	20,783
Mutual funds | Level 2	'		'
Assets	0	[2]	0
Mutual funds | Level 3	'		'
Assets	0	[2]	0
United States government securities	'		'
Assets	23,915	[2]	50,379
United States government securities | Level 1	'		'
Assets	23,915	[2]	50,379
United States government securities | Level 2	'		'
Assets	0	[2]	0
United States government securities | Level 3	'		'
Assets	0	[2]	0
Corporate securities	'		'
Assets	115,196	[2]	74,559
Corporate securities | Level 1	'		'
Assets	107,259	[2]	68,624
Corporate securities | Level 2	'		'
Assets	0	[2]	0
Corporate securities | Level 3	'		'
Assets	7,937	[2]	5,935
Commercial paper	'		'
Assets	4,499	[3]	1,799
Commercial paper | Cash And Cash Equivalents	'		'
Assets	2,900		'
Commercial paper | Marketable Securities	'		'
Assets	1,600		'
Commercial paper | Level 1	'		'
Assets	0	[3]	0
Commercial paper | Level 2	'		'
Assets	4,499	[3]	1,799
Commercial paper | Level 3	'		'
Assets	0	[3]	0
Corporate obligations	'		'
Assets	37,588	[2]	31,965
Corporate obligations | Level 1	'		'
Assets	0	[2]	0
Corporate obligations | Level 2	'		'
Assets	15,960	[2]	14,535
Corporate obligations | Level 3	'		'
Assets	21,628	[2]	17,430
Investments in certain funds	'		'
Assets	826	[4]	844
Investments in certain funds | Level 1	'		'
Assets	0	[4]	0
Investments in certain funds | Level 2	'		'
Assets	0	[4]	0
Investments in certain funds | Level 3	'		'
Assets	826	[4]	844
Financial Assets	'		'
Assets	260,076		252,931
Financial Assets | Level 1	'		'
Assets	209,226		212,388
Financial Assets | Level 2	'		'
Assets	20,459		16,334
Financial Assets | Level 3	'		'
Assets	$30,391		$24,209
[1]	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents".
[2]	Reported within bMarketable securitiesb
[3]	within "Cash and cash equivalents" and $1.6 million reported within "Marketable securities."
[4]	Reported within "Other investments".

Fair_Value_Measurements_Reconc

Fair Value Measurements - Reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Level 3 assets and liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Balance, Beginning	$24,209
Purchases	5,299
Sales	-1,974
Unrealized gains recognized in other comprehensive income	2,857
Balance, End	$30,391

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Det

Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Depreciation	$3.50	$2.60

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Sch

Property and Equipment, Net - Schedule (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	$127,979	$124,738
Accumulated depreciation	-21,775	-18,262
Property and equipment, net	106,204	106,476
Rigs and other equipment	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	102,208	100,912
Buildings and improvements	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	19,370	19,167
Land	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	1,164	1,164
Vehicles	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	1,905	1,869
Furniture and fixtures	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	576	512
Assets in progress	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	$2,756	$1,114

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	$2,641	$2,400
Goodwill impairment	0	3,577
Ruckus Sports LLC	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill impairment	'	$3,577

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets, net (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	$61,155	$60,645
Accumulated Amortization	-18,898	-16,257
Net	42,257	44,388
Energy segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	59,360	59,360
Accumulated Amortization	-18,561	-16,015
Net	40,799	43,345
Sports segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	1,795	1,285
Accumulated Amortization	-337	-242
Net	1,458	1,043
Customer relationships | Energy segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	54,380	54,380
Accumulated Amortization	-15,970	-13,700
Net	38,410	40,680
Customer relationships | Sports segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	1,673	1,163
Accumulated Amortization	-318	-230
Net	1,355	933
Trade names | Energy segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	4,860	4,860
Accumulated Amortization	-2,584	-2,315
Net	2,276	2,545
Trade names | Sports segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	122	122
Accumulated Amortization	-19	-12
Net	103	110
Non-compete agreement | Energy segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	120	120
Accumulated Amortization	-7	0
Net	$113	$120

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Aggregate Future Amortization Expense: (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Remainder of 2014	$6,878
2015	8,097
2016	7,088
2017	5,858
2018	5,168
Thereafter	9,168
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$42,257

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$68,139	$53,093
Acquisitions	0	16,779
Adjustments to fair value	0	1,844
Impairments	0	-3,577
Balance at end of period	68,139	'
Energy segment:	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	65,968	52,939
Acquisitions	0	11,185
Adjustments to fair value	0	1,844
Impairments	0	0
Balance at end of period	65,968	'
Sports segment:	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	2,171	154
Acquisitions	0	5,594
Adjustments to fair value	0	0
Impairments	0	'
Balance at end of period	$2,171	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Components of Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$73,704	$73,704	'
Accumulated impairment	-5,565	-5,565	'
Goodwill	$68,139	$68,139	$53,093

Longterm_Debt_Details

Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
			Energy Credit Agreement	Energy Credit Agreement	Energy Credit Agreement	Amended Credit Agreement	Amended Credit Agreement	Amended Credit Agreement	Sun Well Credit Agreement	Sun Well Credit Agreement	Sun Well Credit Agreement
			Long-term Debt	Term Loan	Line of Credit	Steel Energy Ltd	Long-term Debt	Term Loan	Sun Well	Term Loan	Line of Credit
			Steel Energy Ltd	Steel Energy Ltd	Revolving Credit Facility		Steel Energy Ltd	Steel Energy Ltd		Sun Well	Revolving Credit Facility
					Steel Energy Ltd						Sun Well
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt	$89,196,000	'	$105,000,000	$95,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	$20,000,000	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	'	'	'	'	10,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	5,000,000
Borrowing base of eligible accounts receivable (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	85.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly installments	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,300,000	'	'	'	'
Interest rate (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	'	3.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	868,000	171,000	'	'	'	800,000	'	'	200,000	'	'
Interest on term loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	700,000	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred financing fees	'	'	'	'	'	$100,000	'	'	'	'	'

Longterm_Debt_Assets_Pledged_a

Long-term Debt - Assets Pledged as Collateral (Details) (Steel Energy Ltd and Subsidiaries, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Steel Energy Ltd and Subsidiaries	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$14,523
Accounts receivable	24,328
Property and equipment, net	97,702
Intangible assets, net	40,798
Total	$177,351

Longterm_Debt_Principal_paymen

Long-term Debt - Principal payments under the Energy Credit Agreement (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Remainder of 2014	$9,911	'
2015	13,214	'
2016	13,214	'
2017	13,214	'
2018	39,643	'
Total	89,196	'
Less current portion	13,214	13,214
Total long-term debt	$75,982	$79,286

Other_Liabilities_Accrued_and_

Other Liabilities - Accrued and other liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued and other liabilities	$13,068	$7,526
Accrued compensation and related taxes	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	4,255	4,207
Deferred revenue	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	2,799	857
Insurance	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	3,992	310
Professional services	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	660	608
Accrued fuel and rig-related charges	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	514	652
Tax-related	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	258	385
Other	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	$590	$507

Other_Liabilities_Other_longte

Other Liabilities - Other long-term liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Long-term liabilities	$3,823	$3,813
Tax-related	'	'
Other Long-term liabilities	105	104
Deferred compensation	'	'
Other Long-term liabilities	$3,718	$3,709

Interest_and_Other_Income_Inte

Interest and Other Income - Interest Income, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Interest income	$1,589	$794
Interest expense	-868	-171
Interest income, net	$721	$623

Interest_and_Other_Inome_Other

Interest and Other Inome - Other Income, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Realized gain on sale of marketable securities, net	$2,991	$1,216
Other	-63	-77
Other income, net	$2,928	$1,139

Income_Taxes_Detail

Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
IncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$1,903,000	$1,633,000
Reversal of valuation allowance	$2,100,000	$1,800,000

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Detail

Stock Benefit Plans (Detail) (Restricted stock, Director)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted stock | Director	'
Options granted (in shares)	9,105

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Stockbased

Stock Benefit Plans - Stock-based compensation expenses (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Total stock-based compensation	$617	$620
Stock options	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	22	25
Restricted stock	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	$595	$595

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
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Numerators:	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$4,065	$3,369
Non-controlling interest	326	20
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	4,391	3,389
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	-395
Non-controlling interest	0	316
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	0	-79
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$4,391	$3,310
Denominators:	'	'
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	11,981	12,886
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'
Stock-based awards (in Shares)	18	23
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	11,999	12,909
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.26
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.26
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.26
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.26

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Changes, net of tax, in Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$6,516	$946
Unrealized gain (loss) - pretax	8,023	5,795
Tax effect on unrealized gain	-2,764	-2,230
Unrealized gain (loss) - net of tax	5,259	3,565
Reclassification to realized gain - pretax	-1,934	-1,216
Tax effect on reclassification	666	463
Reclassification to realized gain - net of tax	-1,268	-753
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	3,991	2,812
Balance at end of period	10,507	3,758
Unrealized Gain on Securities	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	6,921	927
Unrealized gain (loss) - pretax	8,023	5,854
Tax effect on unrealized gain	-2,764	-2,230
Unrealized gain (loss) - net of tax	5,259	3,624
Reclassification to realized gain - pretax	-1,934	-1,216
Tax effect on reclassification	666	463
Reclassification to realized gain - net of tax	-1,268	-753
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	3,991	2,871
Balance at end of period	10,912	3,798
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	-405	19
Unrealized gain (loss) - pretax	0	-59
Tax effect on unrealized gain	0	0
Unrealized gain (loss) - net of tax	0	-59
Reclassification to realized gain - pretax	0	0
Tax effect on reclassification	0	0
Reclassification to realized gain - net of tax	0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	0	-59
Balance at end of period	($405)	($40)

Segment_Information_Detail

Segment Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	segment
SegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlockAbstract	'
Number of reportable segments (in segments)	2

Segment_Information_Operating_

Segment Information - Operating results (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues	'	'
Revenues	$45,159	$26,351
Operating income (loss)	'	'
Operating income (loss)	-54	-26
Corporate and other business activities	-10,903	-7,712
Interest income, net	721	623
Other income, net	2,928	1,139
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity method loss	3,595	1,736
Depreciation and amortization	6,163	4,994
Energy segment:	'	'
Revenues	'	'
Revenues	43,913	26,039
Operating income (loss)	'	'
Operating income (loss)	5,467	3,227
Depreciation and amortization	5,793	4,855
Sports segment:	'	'
Revenues	'	'
Revenues	1,246	312
Operating income (loss)	'	'
Operating income (loss)	-2,032	-986
Depreciation and amortization	370	139
Total segment operating income	'	'
Operating income (loss)	'	'
Operating income (loss)	3,435	2,241
Corporate and other business activities	'	'
Operating income (loss)	'	'
Corporate and other business activities	($3,489)	($2,267)

Segment_Information_Assets_Det

Segment Information - Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total assets:	'	'
Total assets	$548,709	$538,457
Energy segment:	'	'
Total assets:	'	'
Total assets	247,780	244,164
Sports segment:	'	'
Total assets:	'	'
Total assets	18,718	20,495
Corporate and other business activities	'	'
Total assets:	'	'
Total assets	$282,211	$273,798

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	SP Corporate Services LLC	SP Corporate Services LLC	SP Corporate Services LLC	iGo	WebBank	WebBank	WebBank	Steel Excel
			Monthly Expanded Services		Interest Income	Interest Income	Short-term deposits	Percentage Owned By Steel Partners
Ownership	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	55.20%
Provision of services	$2,200,000	$1,000,000	$700,000	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fixed annual fee	'	'	'	400,000	'	'	'	'
Short-term deposits	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,200,000	'
Interest income	'	'	'	'	$7,000	$25,000	'	'

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'	'
Interest paid	$735	$192
Income taxes paid	$44	$130