Steel Excel (SXCL) 10-Q 7 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
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	'	11,545,466
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000709804	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	$51,924	$28,761	$97,083	$55,112
Cost of revenues	36,186	20,056	70,496	38,721
Gross profit	15,738	8,705	26,587	16,391
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	9,282	5,746	17,544	11,058
Amortization of intangibles	2,433	2,231	5,074	4,631
Total operating expenses	11,715	7,977	22,618	15,689
Operating income	4,023	728	3,969	702
Interest income, net	488	1,246	1,209	1,869
Other income (expense), net	654	-1,278	3,582	-139
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity method income	5,165	696	8,760	2,432
Benefit from income taxes	693	384	2,596	2,017
Income from equity method investees, net of taxes	2,874	0	1,441	0
Net income from continuing operations	8,732	1,080	12,797	4,449
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	-194	0	-589
Net income	8,732	886	12,797	3,860
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	11	36	337	56
Discontinued operations	0	149	0	465
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$8,743	$1,071	$13,134	$4,381
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.74	$0.09	$1.10	$0.35
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	$0	$0	($0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.74	$0.08	$1.10	$0.34
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.73	$0.09	$1.10	$0.35
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	$0	$0	($0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.73	$0.08	$1.10	$0.34
Shares used in computing income (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in Shares)	11,895	12,718	11,938	12,796
Diluted (in Shares)	11,917	12,734	11,958	12,812

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income	$8,732		$886		$12,797		$3,860
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'		'		'		'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	14	[1]	23	[1]	14	[1]	-36	[1]
Gross unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax	2,124	[2]	-128	[2]	7,383	[2]	3,496	[2]
Reclassification to realized gains (losses), net of tax	-309	[3]	771	[3]	-1,577	[3]	18	[3]
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes	1,815		643		5,806		3,514
Comprehensive income	10,561		1,552		18,617		7,338
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	11		185		337		521
Comprehensive income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	10,572		1,737		18,954		7,859
Tax benefit (provision) on gross unrealized gains (losses)	-1,271		126		-4,035		-2,104
Tax benefit (provision) on reclassifications to realized gains (losses)	$196		($474)		$862		($11)
[1]	No tax effect on cumulative translation adjustments
[2]	Tax benefit (provision) on gross unrealized gains: $(1,271) $126 $(4,035) $(2,104)
[3]	Tax benefit (provision) on reclassifications to realized gains: $196 $(474) $862 $(11)

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$69,432	$73,602
Restricted cash	20,010	0
Marketable securities	157,263	178,485
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0	29,821	25,355
Deferred income taxes	15	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,209	4,670
Current assets of discontinued operations	31	31
Total current assets	284,781	282,143
Property and equipment, net	109,335	105,890
Goodwill	68,742	68,742
Intangible assets, net	40,287	44,438
Other investments	28,540	25,844
Investments in equity method investees ($31,330 at fair value in 2014)	37,571	8,339
Deferred income taxes	3,732	1,556
Other long-term assets	1,516	1,754
Total assets	574,504	538,706
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	4,225	4,754
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	13,896	7,775
Due to shareholders	10,023	0
Financial instrument obligations	20,010	0
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	66,605	31,100
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	386	572
Long-term debt, net of current portion	72,679	79,286
Deferred income taxes	2,169	0
Other long-term liabilities	3,819	3,813
Total liabilities	145,658	114,771
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock ($0.001 par value, 40,000 shares authorized; 14,224 shares and 14,508 shares issued and outstanding in 2014 and 2013, respectively)	14	14
Additional paid-in capital	266,473	274,826
Accumulated other comprehensive income	12,336	6,516
Retained earnings	227,101	213,967
Treasury stock, at cost (2014 - 2,679 shares; 2013 - 2,503 shares)	-76,682	-71,001
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity	429,242	424,322
Non-controlling interest	-396	-387
Total stockholders' equity	428,846	423,935
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$574,504	$538,706

Condensed_Balance_Sheets_Paren

Condensed Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 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)	14,224	14,508
Shares Outstanding (in shares)	14,224	14,508
Treasury stock (in shares)	2,679	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_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings	Non-Controlling Interest
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013	$423,935	$14	($71,001)	$274,826	$6,516	$213,967	($387)
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	-14,508,000	-2,503,000	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	13,134	'	'	'	'	13,134	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-337	'	'	'	'	'	-337
Other comprehensive income	5,820	'	'	'	5,820	'	'
Net issuance of restricted shares (in shares)	'	13,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net issuance of restricted shares	-13	1	'	-14	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	1,683	'	'	1,683	'	'	'
Reverse stock split (in shares)	-295,659	-297,000	'	'	'	'	'
Reverse/forward stock split	-10,023	-1	'	-10,022	'	'	'
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)	'	'	-176,000	'	'	'	'
Repurchases of common stock	-5,681	'	-5,681	'	'	'	'
Contribution from non-controlling interest	328	'	'	'	'	'	328
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2014	$428,846	$14	($76,682)	$266,473	$12,336	$227,101	($396)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2014	'	14,224,000	2,679,000	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income	$12,797	$3,860
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations	0	589
Income from equity method investees	-1,441	0
Stock-based compensation expense	1,683	1,677
Depreciation and amortization	12,177	9,825
Deferred income tax benefit	-2,969	-2,159
Loss (gain) on sales of marketable securities	-5,067	29
Loss on financial instrument obligations	669	0
Loss on change to equity method at fair value	568	0
Other	285	201
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-4,293	2,149
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-3,334	-1,842
Accounts payable and other liabilities	5,330	229
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations	0	-1,185
Net cash provided by operating activities	16,405	13,373
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:	'	'
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	-517	-1,100
Purchases of property and equipment	-10,897	-3,796
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	357	0
Investments in equity method investees	-144	-4,000
Purchases of marketable securities	-73,658	-123,015
Sales of marketable securities	95,740	45,065
Maturities of marketable securities	4,300	122,115
Other investments	-3,000	0
Reclassification of restricted cash	-20,010	0
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations	0	-155
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-7,829	35,114
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:	'	'
Repurchases of common stock - treasury shares	-5,681	-8,848
Repayment of subordinated notes	-346	0
Repayments of capital lease obligations	-186	-213
Repayments of long-term debt	-6,607	-13,000
Other financing activities	60	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-12,760	-22,061
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-4,184	26,426
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	14	26
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning balance	73,602	71,556
Cash and cash equivalents, ending balance	$69,432	$98,008

Description_and_Basis_of_Prese

Description and Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
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, Black Hawk Energy Services Ltd. ("Black Hawk Ltd."), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, acquired the business and substantially all of the assets of Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc. ("Black Hawk Inc."), 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 valuations. In 2014, the Company recorded measurement period adjustments to reflect revised fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired from Black Hawk Inc. 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).
	In June 2014 the Company's effected a 1-for-500 reverse stock split (the "Reverse Split"), immediately followed by a 500-for-1 forward stock split (the "Forward Split", and together with the Reverse Split, the "Reverse/Forward Split"), of its common stock. The consolidated financial statements reflect the effects of the Reverse/Forward Split (see Note 19).
	Certain other prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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 its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which establishes a core principle, achieved through a five-step process, that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and for interim reporting periods within those years. Upon adoption, ASU No. 2014-09 can be applied either retrospectively to each reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial application. Early application is not permitted. The Company needs to evaluate the impact on its consolidated financial statements of adopting ASU No. 2014-09 and will determine the implementation method to be used.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718), to address diversity in accounting for share-based payment awards that require a specific performance target to be achieved in order for employees to become eligible to vest in the awards. ASU No. 2014-12 requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. ASU No. 2014-12 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and for interim reporting period within those years, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2014-12 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	On December 16, 2013, the Company acquired the business and substantially all of the assets of Black Hawk Inc. for approximately $60.8 million in cash, subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment. The fair values recognized in 2013 in connection with this 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 value estimates 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		$	451		$	10,114
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	208			111			319
	Property and equipment	30,581			(493		)	30,088
	Intangible assets	—			12,210			12,210
	Accounts payable	(1,333		)	(251		)	(1,584		)
	Accrued expenses	(1,756		)	(416		)	(2,172		)
	Total identifiable net assets acquired	37,363			11,612			48,975
	Goodwill	23,400			(11,612		)	11,788
	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 and the post-closing working capital adjustment. 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 for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	In 2014, UK Elite Soccer, Inc. ("UK Elite"), the Sports' segment soccer operation, acquired the business and assets of three independent providers of soccer clinics and camps for a total purchase price of $1.0 million, or approximately $0.5 million net of cash acquired. In connection with these acquisitions, the Company recognized approximately $0.2 million in current assets, primarily trade receivables, approximately $0.6 million in current liabilities, primarily deferred revenue, and approximately $0.9 million in intangible assets representing customer relationships.
	The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the six months ended June 30, 2013, combines the results of operations of the Company with the results of operations of Black Hawk Inc. and UK Elite, which businesses 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. No pro forma information is provided for the businesses acquired by UK Elite in 2014 since their results of operations are not material. 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	$	84,938
	Net income from continuing operations	$	7,921
	Net income	$	7,332
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	7,846

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
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 six months ended June 30, 2013, Ruckus reported revenues of $0.6 million and a loss from discontinued operations of $0.6 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2013, Ruckus reported revenues of $0.6 million and incurred a loss from discontinued operations of $0.2 million.

Investments

Investments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	Marketable Securities
	All of the Company's marketable securities at June 30, 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)". In 2014, the Company entered into short sale transactions on certain securities in which the Company received proceeds from the sale of such securities and incurred obligations to deliver such securities at a later date. Upon initially entering into such short sale transactions the Company recognized obligations totaling approximately $19.3 million, with a comparable amount of the Company's cash and cash equivalents reclassified as restricted cash. Subsequent changes in the fair value of such obligations, determined based on the closing market price of the securities, are recognized currently as gains or losses, with a comparable reclassification made between the amounts of the Company's unrestricted and restricted cash. As of June 30, 2014, the Company's obligations for such transactions totaled approximately $20.0 million, which are reported as "Financial instrument obligations" with a comparable amount reported as "Restricted cash" in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company incurred losses totaling $0.7 million, which are included as a component of "Other income, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
	Marketable securities at June 30, 2014, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	74,935			$	—			$	—			$	74,935
	Mutual funds	15,722				6,012				—				21,734
	Corporate securities	89,743				15,611				(3,714		)		101,640
	Corporate obligations	32,374				1,534				(19		)		33,889
	Total available-for-sale securities	212,774				23,157				(3,733		)		232,198
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(74,935		)		—				—				(74,935		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	137,839			$	23,157			$	(3,733	)		$	157,263
	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 $95.7 million and $45.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $55.2 million and $36.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 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 and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Gross realized gains	$	3,196			$	2,607			$	6,396			$	3,865
	Gross realized losses	(1,120		)		(3,852		)		(1,329		)		(3,894		)
	Realized gains (losses), net	$	2,076			$	(1,245	)		$	5,067			$	(29	)
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at June 30, 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	$	19,244			$	(3,481	)		$	199			$	(233	)		$	19,443			$	(3,714	)
	Corporate obligations	6,019				(19		)		—				—				6,019				(19		)
	Total	$	25,263			$	(3,500	)		$	199			$	(233	)		$	25,462			$	(3,733	)
	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 June 30, 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 June 30, 2014, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
		Cost				Estimated
						Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Debt securities:
	Mature after one year through three years	$	228			$	236
	Mature in more than three years	32,146				33,653
	Total debt securities	32,374				33,889
Securities with no contractual maturities	180,400				198,309
Total	$	212,774			$	232,198
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. Both Again Faster and iGo are accounted for using the traditional method of accounting for equity-method investments.
In May 2014, the Company increased its holdings of the common stock of API Technologies Corp. (“API”), a designer and manufacturer of high performance systems, subsystems, modules, and components, to 11,377,192 shares through the acquisition of 1,666,666 shares on the open market. Upon acquiring such shares the Company held approximately 20.5% of the total outstanding common stock of API. Effective as of that date the investment in API has been accounted for as an equity-method investment using the fair value option with changes in fair value based on the market price of API's common stock recognized currently as income or loss from equity method investees. The Company elected the fair value option to account for its investment in API in order to more appropriately reflect the value of API in its financial statements. Prior to such time the investment in API was accounted for as an available-for-sale security, and upon the change in classification the Company recognized a loss of approximately $0.6 million that had previously been included as a component of "accumulated other comprehensive income".
The following table summarizes the Company's equity-method investments.
	Ownership						Carrying Value								Income (Loss) Recognized
															Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013			June 30, 2014				December 31, 2013				June 30, 2014				June 30, 2013				June 30, 2014			June 30, 2013
							(in thousands)
Traditional equity method
Again Faster	40	%		40	%		$	3,378			$	3,671			$	(164	)		$	—			$	(293	)	$	—
iGo	44.7	%		44.7	%		2,863				4,668				(501		)		—				(1,805		)	—
Fair value option
API	20.6	%					31,330				—				3,539				—				3,539			—
Total							$	37,571			$	8,339			$	2,874			$	—			$	1,441		$	—
Based on the closing market price of iGo’s publicly-traded shares, the value of the Company’s investment in iGo was approximately $4.2 million at June 30, 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 and six months ended March 31, 2014, the periods on which the loss recognized by the Company for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, was based and for API for the three months ended May 31, 2014, its most recently completed quarterly fiscal period.
			API				iGo
			Three Months Ended May 31, 2014				Three Months Ended March 31, 2014				Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
			(in thousands)
Revenues			$	53,169			$	1,568			$	4,778
Gross loss			$	10,410			$	34			$	(1,112	)
Net loss			$	(14,984	)		$	(1,119	)		$	(4,036	)
Other Investments
The Company's other investments at June 30, 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 $33.0 million at June 30, 2014, based on the net asset value indicated in the monthly statement received from the partnership. The Company's other investments at June 30, 2014, also include investments in a venture capital funds totaling $0.5 million and a promissory note with an amortized cost of $3.0 million, which is a reasonable approximation of fair value at June 30, 2014.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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 June 30, 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)	$	69,432			$	69,432	$	—	$	—
	Restricted cash	20,010				20,010		—		—
	Mutual funds(2)	21,734				21,734		—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	101,640				89,176		—		12,464
	Corporate obligations(2)	33,889				—		14,547		19,342
	Investments in equity-method investees	31,330				31,330		—		—
	Investments in certain funds(3)	540				—		—		540
	Total assets	$	278,575			$	231,682	$	14,547	$	32,346
	Liabilities
	Financial instrument obligations	$	20,010			$	20,010	$	—	$	—
	-1	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents"
	-2	Reported within “Marketable securities”
	-3	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 six months ended June 30, 2014.
	Changes in the fair value of assets valued using Level 3 measurement inputs during the six months ended June 30, 2014, were as follows:
				Amount
				(in thousands)
	Balance, January 1, 2014			$	24,209
	Purchases			10,538
	Sales			(4,732		)
	Realized loss on sale			(129		)
	Unrealized gains recognized in other comprehensive income			2,460
	Balance, June 30, 2014			$	32,346
	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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment, Net	'
	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment at June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, consisted of the following:
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Rigs and other equipment	$	108,761		$	100,884
	Buildings and improvements	19,991			17,880
	Land	1,164			1,893
	Vehicles	2,004			1,869
	Furniture and fixtures	615			512
	Assets in progress	2,108			1,114
		134,643			124,152
	Accumulated depreciation	(25,308		)	(18,262		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	109,335		$	105,890
	The amounts at December 31, 2013, have been revised to reflect measurement period adjustments identified during the six months ended June 30, 2014, related to the assets acquired from Black Hawk Inc. as if they had been recognized at the acquisition date (see Note 3). Depreciation expense was $7.1 million and $5.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Depreciation expense was $3.6 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The Company's intangible assets at June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, all of which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following:
		June 30, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Cost			Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Energy segment:
	Customer relationships	$	54,430		$	(18,051	)	$	36,379	$	54,430	$	(13,700	)	$	40,730
	Trade names	4,860			(2,820		)	2,040		4,860		(2,315		)	2,545
	Non-compete agreement	120			(13		)	107		120		—			120
		59,410			(20,884		)	38,526		59,410		(16,015		)	43,395
	Sports segment:
	Customer relationships	2,086			(423		)	1,663		1,163		(230		)	933
	Trade names	122			(24		)	98		122		(12		)	110
		2,208			(447		)	1,761		1,285		(242		)	1,043
	Total	$	61,618		$	(21,331	)	$	40,287	$	60,695	$	(16,257	)	$	44,438
	The amounts for the Energy segment at December 31, 2013, have been revised to reflect measurement period adjustments identified during the six months ended June 30, 2014, related to the assets acquired from Black Hawk Inc. as if they had been recognized at the acquisition date (see Note 3).
	Amortization expense was $2.4 million and $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amortization expense was $5.1 million and $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 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				$	4,509
	2015				8,210
	2016				7,202
	2017				5,971
	2018				5,229
	Thereafter				9,166
	Total				$	40,287
	The changes to the Company’s carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014								Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Energy			Sports			Total		Energy		Sports			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	66,571		$	2,171		$	68,742	$	52,939	$	154		$	53,093
	Acquisitions (see Note 3)	—			—			—		11,788		5,594			17,382
	Adjustments to fair value	—			—			—		1,844		—			1,844
	Impairments	—			—			—		—		(3,577		)	(3,577		)
	Balance at end of period	$	66,571		$	2,171		$	68,742	$	66,571	$	2,171		$	68,742
	The amounts for the Energy segment at December 31, 2013, have been revised to reflect measurement period adjustments identified during the six months ended June 30, 2014, related to the assets acquired from Black Hawk Inc. 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 the shutdown of Ruckus.
	The components of goodwill at June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, were as follows:
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Goodwill	$	74,307		$	74,307
	Accumulated impairment	(5,565		)	(5,565		)
	Net goodwill	$	68,742		$	68,742

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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 Ltd., and a pledge of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Sun Well, Rogue, and Black Hawk Ltd. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement are fully guaranteed by Sun Well, Rogue, and Black Hawk Ltd. The carrying values as of June 30, 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	$	12,088
	Accounts receivable	28,594
	Property and equipment, net	100,969
	Intangible assets, net	38,526
	Total	$	180,177
	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 June 30, 2014, $85.9 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			$	6,607
	2015			13,214
	2016			13,214
	2017			13,214
	2018			39,644
	Total			85,893
	Less current portion			13,214
	Total long-term debt			$	72,679
	The interest rate on the borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement was 3.0% at June 30, 2014. For the three months ended June 30, 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. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company incurred interest expense of $1.7 million, consisting of $1.4 million in interest on the Term Loans and $0.3 million of amortization of deferred financing fees. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the Amended Credit Agreement as of June 30, 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 the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company incurred interest expense of $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in connection with the Sun Well Credit Agreement.

Other_Liabilities

Other Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Liabilities	'
	Other Liabilities
	“Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” consisted of the following:
		June 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation and related taxes	$	5,467	$	4,207
	Deferred revenue	4,331		857
	Insurance	1,327		310
	Professional services	404		608
	Accrued fuel and rig-related charges	1,498		901
	Tax-related	253		385
	Other	616		507
	Total	$	13,896	$	7,775
	“Other long-term liabilities” consisted of the following:
		June 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Deferred compensation	$	3,709	$	3,709
	Tax-related	110		104
	Total	$	3,819	$	3,813

Interest_and_Other_Income

Interest and Other Income	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]	'
Interest and Other Income	'
	Interest and Other Income
	“Interest income, net” consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest income	$	1,310		$	1,330		$	2,899		$	2,124
	Interest expense	(822		)	(84		)	(1,690		)	(255		)
	Interest income, net	$	488		$	1,246		$	1,209		$	1,869
	"Other income (expense), net" consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Realized gain (loss) on sale of marketable securities, net	$	2,076		$	(1,245	)	$	5,067		$	(29	)
	Realized loss on financial instrument obligation	(669		)	—			(669		)	—
	Realized loss upon change to equity method at fair value	(568		)	—			(568		)	—
	Other	(185		)	(33		)	(248		)	(110		)
	Other income (expense), net	$	654		$	(1,278	)	$	3,582		$	(139	)

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
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.
	For the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company reversed $1.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of its valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as a result of recognizing deferred tax liabilities related to unrealized gains on marketable securities recorded during the period. These reversals resulted in an overall benefit from income taxes of $0.7 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company reversed $3.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of its valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as a result of recognizing deferred tax liabilities related to unrealized gains on marketable securities recorded during the period. These reversals resulted in an overall benefit from income taxes of $2.6 million and $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Stock_Benefit_Plans

Stock Benefit Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
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 and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock options	$	14	$	26	$	36	$	51
	Restricted stock	1,052		1,031		1,647		1,626
	Total stock-based compensation	$	1,066	$	1,057	$	1,683	$	1,677
	Restricted stock activity in the Equity Plans during the six months ended June 30, 2014, was as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Non-vested stock, January 1, 2014	142
	Awarded	24
	Vested	(21	)
	Forfeited	(12	)
	Non-vested stock, June 30, 2014	133
	The Company did not grant any stock options during the six months ended June 30, 2014.

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
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 and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerators:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	8,732	$	1,080		$	12,797	$	4,449
	Non-controlling interest	11		36			337		56
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	8,743	$	1,116		$	13,134	$	4,505
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	(194	)	$	—	$	(589	)
	Non-controlling interest	—		149			—		465
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	—	$	(45	)	$	—	$	(124	)
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	8,743	$	1,071		$	13,134	$	4,381
	Denominators:
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	11,895		12,718			11,938		12,796
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock-based awards	22		16			20		16
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	11,917		12,734			11,958		12,812
	Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.74	$	0.09		$	1.1	$	0.35
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	(0.01	)
	Net income	$	0.74	$	0.08		$	1.1	$	0.34
	Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.73	$	0.09		$	1.1	$	0.35
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	(0.01	)
	Net income	$	0.73	$	0.08		$	1.1	$	0.34

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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:
		Unrealized		Cumulative			Total
		Gains on		Translation
		Securities		Adjustment
		(in thousands)
	Balance January 1, 2014	$	6,921	$	(405	)	$	6,516
	Current period other comprehensive income	5,806		14			5,820
	Balance June 30, 2014	$	12,727	$	(391	)	$	12,336

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
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 June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues
	Energy	$	47,153		$	27,071		$	91,066		$	53,110
	Sports	4,771			1,690			6,017			2,002
	Total revenues	$	51,924		$	28,761		$	97,083		$	55,112
	Operating income (loss)
	Energy	$	7,905		$	3,392		$	13,372		$	6,619
	Sports	(10		)	(307		)	(2,042		)	(1,293		)
	Total segment operating income	7,895			3,085			11,330			5,326
	Corporate and other business activities	(3,872		)	(2,357		)	(7,361		)	(4,624		)
	Interest income, net	488			1,246			1,209			1,869
	Other income (expense), net	654			(1,278		)	3,582			(139		)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity method income	$	5,165		$	696		$	8,760		$	2,432
	Depreciation and amortization expense:
	Energy	$	5,612		$	4,682		$	11,405		$	9,537
	Sports	402			149			772			288
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	6,014		$	4,831		$	12,177		$	9,825
	Segment information related to the Company's assets was as follows:
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Sports	$	20,861		$	20,495
	Energy	251,848			244,413
	Corporate and other business activities	301,795			273,798
	Total assets	$	574,504		$	538,706

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	SPLP beneficially owned approximately 57.3% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of June 30, 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 June 30, 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. During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred expenses of $4.4 million and $2.0 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 $0.4 million at June 30, 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.
	At June 30, 2014, the Company held $15.2 million of short-term deposits at WebBank, an affiliate of SPLP. For the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded interest income of $21,000 and $23,000, respectively, on such deposits. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded interest income of $42,000 and $48,000, respectively.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	Cash paid for interest and income taxes and non-cash investing and financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, was as follows:
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest paid	$	1,423	$	273
	Income taxes paid	$	54	$	1,582
	Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Reclassification of available-for-sale securities to equity method investment	$	27,647	$	—
	Securities received in exchange for financial instrument obligations	$	19,341	$	—
	Repurchase of common stock from Reverse Split not paid	$	10,023	$	—
	Contribution of advances by non-controlling interest	$	268	$	—
	Restricted stock awards surrendered to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon vesting	$	14	$	—

Stock_Split

Stock Split	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stock Split	'
	Stock Split
	In June 2014, following stockholder approval and authorization from its board of directors, the Company effected a 1-for-500 reverse stock split (the "Reverse Split"), immediately followed by a 500-for-1 forward stock split (the "Forward Split", and together with the Reverse Split, the "Reverse/Forward Split"), of its common stock effective as of the close of business on June 18, 2014. As a result of the Reverse Split, stockholders holding fewer than 500 shares received a cash payment for all of their outstanding shares based on a per share price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on June 18, 2014, the effective date of the Reverse/Forward Split. Stockholders holding 500 or more shares as of the effective date of the Reverse/Forward Split did not receive any payments for fractional shares resulting from the Reverse Split, and therefore the total number of shares held by such holders did not change as a result of the Reverse/Forward Split.
	In connection with the Reverse Split, the Company paid $10.0 million for 295,659 shares of common stock. Such payment was made in July 2014 and is reported as "Due to shareholders" in the Company's balance sheet as of June 30, 2014. In addition, the Reverse Split resulted in the return of 1,388 restricted stock awards previously awarded to employees.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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		$	451		$	10,114
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	208			111			319
	Property and equipment	30,581			(493		)	30,088
	Intangible assets	—			12,210			12,210
	Accounts payable	(1,333		)	(251		)	(1,584		)
	Accrued expenses	(1,756		)	(416		)	(2,172		)
	Total identifiable net assets acquired	37,363			11,612			48,975
	Goodwill	23,400			(11,612		)	11,788
	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	$	84,938
	Net income from continuing operations	$	7,921
	Net income	$	7,332
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	7,846

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Marketable securities at June 30, 2014, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	74,935			$	—			$	—			$	74,935
	Mutual funds	15,722				6,012				—				21,734
	Corporate securities	89,743				15,611				(3,714		)		101,640
	Corporate obligations	32,374				1,534				(19		)		33,889
	Total available-for-sale securities	212,774				23,157				(3,733		)		232,198
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(74,935		)		—				—				(74,935		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	137,839			$	23,157			$	(3,733	)		$	157,263
	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 and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Gross realized gains	$	3,196			$	2,607			$	6,396			$	3,865
	Gross realized losses	(1,120		)		(3,852		)		(1,329		)		(3,894		)
	Realized gains (losses), net	$	2,076			$	(1,245	)		$	5,067			$	(29	)
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	'
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at June 30, 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	$	19,244			$	(3,481	)		$	199			$	(233	)		$	19,443			$	(3,714	)
	Corporate obligations	6,019				(19		)		—				—				6,019				(19		)
	Total	$	25,263			$	(3,500	)		$	199			$	(233	)		$	25,462			$	(3,733	)
	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 June 30, 2014, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
		Cost				Estimated
						Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Debt securities:
	Mature after one year through three years	$	228			$	236
	Mature in more than three years	32,146				33,653
	Total debt securities	32,374				33,889
	Securities with no contractual maturities	180,400				198,309
	Total	$	212,774			$	232,198
Equity Method Investments	'
	The following table presents summarized income statement information for iGo for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, the periods on which the loss recognized by the Company for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, was based and for API for the three months ended May 31, 2014, its most recently completed quarterly fiscal period.
				API				iGo
				Three Months Ended May 31, 2014				Three Months Ended March 31, 2014				Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
				(in thousands)
	Revenues			$	53,169			$	1,568			$	4,778
	Gross loss			$	10,410			$	34			$	(1,112	)
	Net loss			$	(14,984	)		$	(1,119	)		$	(4,036	)
	The following table summarizes the Company's equity-method investments.
		Ownership						Carrying Value								Income (Loss) Recognized
																Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013			June 30, 2014				December 31, 2013				June 30, 2014				June 30, 2013				June 30, 2014			June 30, 2013
								(in thousands)
	Traditional equity method
	Again Faster	40	%		40	%		$	3,378			$	3,671			$	(164	)		$	—			$	(293	)	$	—
	iGo	44.7	%		44.7	%		2,863				4,668				(501		)		—				(1,805		)	—
	Fair value option
	API	20.6	%					31,330				—				3,539				—				3,539			—
	Total							$	37,571			$	8,339			$	2,874			$	—			$	1,441		$	—

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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 June 30, 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)	$	69,432			$	69,432	$	—	$	—
	Restricted cash	20,010				20,010		—		—
	Mutual funds(2)	21,734				21,734		—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	101,640				89,176		—		12,464
	Corporate obligations(2)	33,889				—		14,547		19,342
	Investments in equity-method investees	31,330				31,330		—		—
	Investments in certain funds(3)	540				—		—		540
	Total assets	$	278,575			$	231,682	$	14,547	$	32,346
	Liabilities
	Financial instrument obligations	$	20,010			$	20,010	$	—	$	—
	-1	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents"
	-2	Reported within “Marketable securities”
	-3	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 six months ended June 30, 2014, were as follows:
				Amount
				(in thousands)
	Balance, January 1, 2014			$	24,209
	Purchases			10,538
	Sales			(4,732		)
	Realized loss on sale			(129		)
	Unrealized gains recognized in other comprehensive income			2,460
	Balance, June 30, 2014			$	32,346

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Tab

Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment at June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, consisted of the following:
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Rigs and other equipment	$	108,761		$	100,884
	Buildings and improvements	19,991			17,880
	Land	1,164			1,893
	Vehicles	2,004			1,869
	Furniture and fixtures	615			512
	Assets in progress	2,108			1,114
		134,643			124,152
	Accumulated depreciation	(25,308		)	(18,262		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	109,335		$	105,890

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	'
	The Company's intangible assets at June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, all of which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following:
		June 30, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Cost			Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Energy segment:
	Customer relationships	$	54,430		$	(18,051	)	$	36,379	$	54,430	$	(13,700	)	$	40,730
	Trade names	4,860			(2,820		)	2,040		4,860		(2,315		)	2,545
	Non-compete agreement	120			(13		)	107		120		—			120
		59,410			(20,884		)	38,526		59,410		(16,015		)	43,395
	Sports segment:
	Customer relationships	2,086			(423		)	1,663		1,163		(230		)	933
	Trade names	122			(24		)	98		122		(12		)	110
		2,208			(447		)	1,761		1,285		(242		)	1,043
	Total	$	61,618		$	(21,331	)	$	40,287	$	60,695	$	(16,257	)	$	44,438
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				$	4,509
	2015				8,210
	2016				7,202
	2017				5,971
	2018				5,229
	Thereafter				9,166
	Total				$	40,287
Schedule of Goodwill	'
	The changes to the Company’s carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014								Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Energy			Sports			Total		Energy		Sports			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	66,571		$	2,171		$	68,742	$	52,939	$	154		$	53,093
	Acquisitions (see Note 3)	—			—			—		11,788		5,594			17,382
	Adjustments to fair value	—			—			—		1,844		—			1,844
	Impairments	—			—			—		—		(3,577		)	(3,577		)
	Balance at end of period	$	66,571		$	2,171		$	68,742	$	66,571	$	2,171		$	68,742
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill	'
	The components of goodwill at June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, were as follows:
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Goodwill	$	74,307		$	74,307
	Accumulated impairment	(5,565		)	(5,565		)
	Net goodwill	$	68,742		$	68,742

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Assets Pledged as Collateral	'
	The carrying values as of June 30, 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	$	12,088
	Accounts receivable	28,594
	Property and equipment, net	100,969
	Intangible assets, net	38,526
	Total	$	180,177
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			$	6,607
	2015			13,214
	2016			13,214
	2017			13,214
	2018			39,644
	Total			85,893
	Less current portion			13,214
	Total long-term debt			$	72,679

Other_Liabilities_Tables

Other Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	'
	“Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” consisted of the following:
		June 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation and related taxes	$	5,467	$	4,207
	Deferred revenue	4,331		857
	Insurance	1,327		310
	Professional services	404		608
	Accrued fuel and rig-related charges	1,498		901
	Tax-related	253		385
	Other	616		507
	Total	$	13,896	$	7,775
Schedule of Other Long-Term Liabilities	'
	“Other long-term liabilities” consisted of the following:
		June 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Deferred compensation	$	3,709	$	3,709
	Tax-related	110		104
	Total	$	3,819	$	3,813

Interest_and_Other_Income_Tabl

Interest and Other Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Interest Income, Net	'
	“Interest income, net” consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest income	$	1,310		$	1,330		$	2,899		$	2,124
	Interest expense	(822		)	(84		)	(1,690		)	(255		)
	Interest income, net	$	488		$	1,246		$	1,209		$	1,869
Schedule of Other Income (Expense), Net	'
	"Other income (expense), net" consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Realized gain (loss) on sale of marketable securities, net	$	2,076		$	(1,245	)	$	5,067		$	(29	)
	Realized loss on financial instrument obligation	(669		)	—			(669		)	—
	Realized loss upon change to equity method at fair value	(568		)	—			(568		)	—
	Other	(185		)	(33		)	(248		)	(110		)
	Other income (expense), net	$	654		$	(1,278	)	$	3,582		$	(139	)

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Stock Benefit Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
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 and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock options	$	14	$	26	$	36	$	51
	Restricted stock	1,052		1,031		1,647		1,626
	Total stock-based compensation	$	1,066	$	1,057	$	1,683	$	1,677
Restricted Stock Activity	'
	Restricted stock activity in the Equity Plans during the six months ended June 30, 2014, was as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Non-vested stock, January 1, 2014	142
	Awarded	24
	Vested	(21	)
	Forfeited	(12	)
	Non-vested stock, June 30, 2014	133

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
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 and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerators:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	8,732	$	1,080		$	12,797	$	4,449
	Non-controlling interest	11		36			337		56
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	8,743	$	1,116		$	13,134	$	4,505
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	(194	)	$	—	$	(589	)
	Non-controlling interest	—		149			—		465
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	—	$	(45	)	$	—	$	(124	)
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	8,743	$	1,071		$	13,134	$	4,381
	Denominators:
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	11,895		12,718			11,938		12,796
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock-based awards	22		16			20		16
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	11,917		12,734			11,958		12,812
	Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.74	$	0.09		$	1.1	$	0.35
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	(0.01	)
	Net income	$	0.74	$	0.08		$	1.1	$	0.34
	Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	0.73	$	0.09		$	1.1	$	0.35
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	(0.01	)
	Net income	$	0.73	$	0.08		$	1.1	$	0.34

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 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:
		Unrealized		Cumulative			Total
		Gains on		Translation
		Securities		Adjustment
		(in thousands)
	Balance January 1, 2014	$	6,921	$	(405	)	$	6,516
	Current period other comprehensive income	5,806		14			5,820
	Balance June 30, 2014	$	12,727	$	(391	)	$	12,336

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
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 June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues
	Energy	$	47,153		$	27,071		$	91,066		$	53,110
	Sports	4,771			1,690			6,017			2,002
	Total revenues	$	51,924		$	28,761		$	97,083		$	55,112
	Operating income (loss)
	Energy	$	7,905		$	3,392		$	13,372		$	6,619
	Sports	(10		)	(307		)	(2,042		)	(1,293		)
	Total segment operating income	7,895			3,085			11,330			5,326
	Corporate and other business activities	(3,872		)	(2,357		)	(7,361		)	(4,624		)
	Interest income, net	488			1,246			1,209			1,869
	Other income (expense), net	654			(1,278		)	3,582			(139		)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity method income	$	5,165		$	696		$	8,760		$	2,432
	Depreciation and amortization expense:
	Energy	$	5,612		$	4,682		$	11,405		$	9,537
	Sports	402			149			772			288
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	6,014		$	4,831		$	12,177		$	9,825
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	'
	Segment information related to the Company's assets was as follows:
		June 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Sports	$	20,861		$	20,495
	Energy	251,848			244,413
	Corporate and other business activities	301,795			273,798
	Total assets	$	574,504		$	538,706

Supplemental_Cash_Flows_Inform

Supplemental Cash Flows Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
CashFlowSupplementalDisclosuresTextBlockAbstract	'
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures	'
	Cash paid for interest and income taxes and non-cash investing and financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, was as follows:
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Interest paid	$	1,423	$	273
	Income taxes paid	$	54	$	1,582
	Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Reclassification of available-for-sale securities to equity method investment	$	27,647	$	—
	Securities received in exchange for financial instrument obligations	$	19,341	$	—
	Repurchase of common stock from Reverse Split not paid	$	10,023	$	—
	Contribution of advances by non-controlling interest	$	268	$	—
	Restricted stock awards surrendered to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon vesting	$	14	$	—

Description_and_Basis_of_Prese1

Description and Basis of Presentation (Detail)	6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
	segment	Reverse Stock Split	Forward Stock Split	Forward Stock Split
		Rate		Rate
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments (in segments)	2	'	'	'
Stock split ratio	'	0.002	500	500

Acquisitions_Detail

Acquisitions (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended			6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Dec. 16, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 16, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 16, 2013	Dec. 16, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
	Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc.	Black Hawk Energy Services, Inc.	Customer relationships	Trade names	Trade names	Non-compete agreement	UK Elite Soccer, Inc.	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	Provider of Soccer Clinics
								business
Intangible assets	'	$12,210,000	$11,300,000	'	$800,000	$100,000	$900,000	'
Amortization period (in years)	'	'	'	'5 years	'	'	'	'
Number of businesses acquired	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3
Total purchase price	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,000,000	'
Consideration transferred, net	60,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	500,000	'
Current assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	200,000
Current liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$600,000

Acquisitions_Purchase_Price_Al

Acquisitions - Purchase Price Allocation (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 16, 2013	Jun. 30, 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	'	'	'	$10,114	$9,663	$451
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	'	'	'	319	208	111
Property and equipment	'	'	'	30,088	30,581	-493
Intangible assets	'	'	'	12,210	0	12,210
Accounts payable	'	'	'	-1,584	-1,333	-251
Accrued expenses	'	'	'	-2,172	-1,756	-416
Total identifiable net assets acquired	'	'	'	48,975	37,363	11,612
Goodwill	68,742	68,742	53,093	11,788	23,400	-11,612
Net assets acquired	'	'	'	$60,763	$60,763	$0

Acquisitions_Pro_Forma_Financi

Acquisitions - Pro Forma Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Net revenues	$84,938
Net income from continuing operations	7,921
Net income	7,332
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$7,846

Discontinued_Operations_Revenu

Discontinued Operations - Revenues and the components of income related to discontinued operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations	$0	($194,000)	$0	($589,000)
Ruckus Sports LLC	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from discontinued operations	'	600,000	'	600,000
Loss from discontinued operations	'	($200,000)	'	($600,000)

Investments_Detail

Investments (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jan. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-14

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Venture Capital Funds

Promissory Note

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Partnership

Securities Loaned or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

$232,198,000

'

$232,198,000

'

$240,394,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$19,300,000

Realized loss on financial instrument obligation

-669,000

0

-669,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sales of marketable securities

55,200,000

36,800,000

95,740,000

45,065,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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 (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

44.70%

44.70%

44.70%

20.50%

'

20.60%

40.00%

40.00%

'

'

'

Number of shares held

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,377,192

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares purchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,666,666

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on change to equity method at fair value

568,000

0

568,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

568,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Value of investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,200,000

'

'

'

'

31,330,000

'

'

'

'

'

Cost-method investments

28,540,000

'

28,540,000

'

25,844,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000,000

'

Fair value of cost method investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33,000,000

'

Other investments

'

'

'

'

'

$500,000

$3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments_Portfolio_of_marke

Investments - Portfolio of marketable securities (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	$212,774	$229,948
Gross Unrealized Gains	23,157	15,930
Gross Unrealized Losses	-3,733	-5,484
Estimated Fair Value	232,198	240,394
Amounts classified as cash equivalents	-74,935	-61,909
Marketable securities cost	137,839	168,039
Marketable securities estimated fair value	157,263	178,485
Short-term deposits	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	74,935	60,909
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	74,935	60,909
Mutual funds	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	15,722	15,722
Gross Unrealized Gains	6,012	5,061
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	21,734	20,783
United States government securities	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	'	50,356
Gross Unrealized Gains	'	23
Gross Unrealized Losses	'	0
Estimated Fair Value	'	50,379
Corporate securities	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	89,743	69,806
Gross Unrealized Gains	15,611	9,961
Gross Unrealized Losses	-3,714	-5,208
Estimated Fair Value	101,640	74,559
Corporate obligations	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	32,374	31,356
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,534	885
Gross Unrealized Losses	-19	-276
Estimated Fair Value	33,889	31,965
Commercial paper	'	'
Available-for-sale securities:	'	'
Cost	'	1,799
Gross Unrealized Gains	'	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	'	0
Estimated Fair Value	'	$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		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Gross realized gains	$3,196	$2,607	$6,396	$3,865	'
Gross realized losses	-1,120	-3,852	-1,329	-3,894	'
Realized gains (losses), net	2,076	-1,245	5,067	-29	'
Unrealized loss position less than 12 months, fair value	25,263	'	25,263	'	26,086
Unrealized loss position, less than 12 month, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-3,500	'	-5,033
Unrealized loss position, 12 months or greater, fair value	199	'	199	'	803
Unrealized loss position, 12 month or greater, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-233	'	-451
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	25,462	'	25,462	'	26,889
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-3,733	'	-5,484
Corporate securities	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized loss position less than 12 months, fair value	19,244	'	19,244	'	15,609
Unrealized loss position, less than 12 month, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-3,481	'	-4,757
Unrealized loss position, 12 months or greater, fair value	199	'	199	'	803
Unrealized loss position, 12 month or greater, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-233	'	-451
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	19,443	'	19,443	'	16,412
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-3,714	'	-5,208
Corporate obligations	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized loss position less than 12 months, fair value	6,019	'	6,019	'	10,477
Unrealized loss position, less than 12 month, gross unrealized losses	'	'	-19	'	-276
Unrealized loss position, 12 months or greater, fair value	0	'	0	'	0
Unrealized loss position, 12 month or greater, gross unrealized losses	'	'	0	'	0
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	6,019	'	6,019	'	10,477
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	'	'	($19)	'	($276)

Investments_Amortized_cost_and

Investments - Amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in available-for-sale securities, by contractual maturity (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cost	'
Mature after one year through three years	$228
Mature in more than three years	32,146
Total debt securities	32,374
Securities with no contractual maturities	180,400
Total	212,774
Estimated Fair Value	'
Mature after one year through three years	236
Mature in more than three years	33,653
Total debt securities	33,889
Securities with no contractual maturities	198,309
Total	$232,198

Investments_Equity_Method_Inve

Investments - Equity Method Investments (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

31-May-14

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Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

'

40.00%

'

40.00%

44.70%

'

44.70%

'

44.70%

44.70%

20.60%

'

20.60%

20.50%

Value of investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4,200

'

$4,200

'

'

'

$31,330

'

$31,330

'

Carrying Value

37,571

'

37,571

'

8,339

3,378

'

3,378

'

3,671

2,863

'

2,863

'

4,668

'

'

'

'

'

Income (Loss) Recognized

$2,874

$0

$1,441

$0

'

($164)

$0

($293)

$0

'

($501)

$0

($1,805)

$0

'

'

$3,539

$0

$3,539

'

Investments_Investments_Summar

Investments Investments - Summarized Income Statement Information for (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	API	iGo	iGo
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenues	$53,169	$1,568	$4,778
Gross loss	10,410	34	-1,112
Net loss	($14,984)	($1,119)	($4,036)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 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	$6,607	$13,000	'	$300	'	'	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements - Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash And Cash Equivalents	'		'
Assets	'		$1,000
Marketable Securities	'		'
Assets	'		800
Financial instrument obligations	'		'
Liabilities	20,010		'
Cash, including short-term deposits	'		'
Assets	69,432	[1]	72,602	[2]
Restricted cash	'		'
Assets	20,010		'
Mutual funds	'		'
Assets	21,734	[3]	20,783	[4]
United States government securities	'		'
Assets	'		50,379	[4]
Corporate securities	'		'
Assets	101,640	[3]	74,559	[4]
Commercial paper	'		'
Assets	'		1,799	[5]
Corporate obligations	'		'
Assets	33,889	[3]	31,965	[4]
Investments in equity-method investees	'		'
Assets	31,330		'
Investments in certain funds	'		'
Assets	540	[6]	844	[7]
Financial Assets	'		'
Assets	278,575		252,931
Level 1 | Financial instrument obligations	'		'
Liabilities	20,010		'
Level 1 | Cash, including short-term deposits	'		'
Assets	69,432	[1]	72,602	[2]
Level 1 | Restricted cash	'		'
Assets	20,010		'
Level 1 | Mutual funds	'		'
Assets	21,734	[3]	20,783	[4]
Level 1 | United States government securities	'		'
Assets	'		50,379	[4]
Level 1 | Corporate securities	'		'
Assets	89,176	[3]	68,624	[4]
Level 1 | Commercial paper	'		'
Assets	'		0	[5]
Level 1 | Corporate obligations	'		'
Assets	0	[3]	0	[4]
Level 1 | Investments in equity-method investees	'		'
Assets	31,330		'
Level 1 | Investments in certain funds	'		'
Assets	0	[6]	0	[7]
Level 1 | Financial Assets	'		'
Assets	231,682		212,388
Level 2 | Financial instrument obligations	'		'
Liabilities	0		'
Level 2 | Cash, including short-term deposits	'		'
Assets	0	[1]	0	[2]
Level 2 | Restricted cash	'		'
Assets	0		'
Level 2 | Mutual funds	'		'
Assets	0	[3]	0	[4]
Level 2 | United States government securities	'		'
Assets	'		0	[4]
Level 2 | Corporate securities	'		'
Assets	0	[3]	0	[4]
Level 2 | Commercial paper	'		'
Assets	'		1,799	[5]
Level 2 | Corporate obligations	'		'
Assets	14,547	[3]	14,535	[4]
Level 2 | Investments in equity-method investees	'		'
Assets	0		'
Level 2 | Investments in certain funds	'		'
Assets	0	[6]	0	[7]
Level 2 | Financial Assets	'		'
Assets	14,547		16,334
Level 3 | Financial instrument obligations	'		'
Liabilities	0		'
Level 3 | Cash, including short-term deposits	'		'
Assets	0	[1]	0	[2]
Level 3 | Restricted cash	'		'
Assets	0		'
Level 3 | Mutual funds	'		'
Assets	0	[3]	0	[4]
Level 3 | United States government securities	'		'
Assets	'		0	[4]
Level 3 | Corporate securities	'		'
Assets	12,464	[3]	5,935	[4]
Level 3 | Commercial paper	'		'
Assets	'		0	[5]
Level 3 | Corporate obligations	'		'
Assets	19,342	[3]	17,430	[4]
Level 3 | Investments in equity-method investees	'		'
Assets	0		'
Level 3 | Investments in certain funds	'		'
Assets	540	[6]	844	[7]
Level 3 | Financial Assets	'		'
Assets	$32,346		$24,209
[1]	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents"
[2]	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents."
[3]	Reported within bMarketable securitiesb
[4]	Reported within bMarketable securities.b
[5]	reported within "Cash and cash equivalents" and $0.8 million reported within "Marketable securities."
[6]	Reported within "Other investments"
[7]	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 $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Balance, Beginning	$24,209
Purchases	10,538
Sales	-4,732
Realized loss on sale	-129
Unrealized gains recognized in other comprehensive income	2,460
Balance, End	$32,346

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Det

Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation	$3.60	$2.60	$7.10	$5.20

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Sch

Property and Equipment, Net - Schedule (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	$134,643	$124,152
Accumulated depreciation	-25,308	-18,262
Property and equipment, net	109,335	105,890
Rigs and other equipment	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	108,761	100,884
Buildings and improvements	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	19,991	17,880
Land	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	1,164	1,893
Vehicles	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	2,004	1,869
Furniture and fixtures	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	615	512
Assets in progress	'	'
Property Plant and Equipment Gross	$2,108	$1,114

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	$2,433	$2,231	$5,074	$4,631	'
Goodwill impairment	'	'	0	'	-3,577
Ruckus Sports LLC	'	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill impairment	'	'	'	'	($3,600)

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets, net (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	$61,618	$60,695
Accumulated Amortization	-21,331	-16,257
Net	40,287	44,438
Energy segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	59,410	59,410
Accumulated Amortization	-20,884	-16,015
Net	38,526	43,395
Sports segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	2,208	1,285
Accumulated Amortization	-447	-242
Net	1,761	1,043
Customer relationships | Energy segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	54,430	54,430
Accumulated Amortization	-18,051	-13,700
Net	36,379	40,730
Customer relationships | Sports segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	2,086	1,163
Accumulated Amortization	-423	-230
Net	1,663	933
Trade names | Energy segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	4,860	4,860
Accumulated Amortization	-2,820	-2,315
Net	2,040	2,545
Trade names | Sports segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	122	122
Accumulated Amortization	-24	-12
Net	98	110
Non-compete agreement | Energy segment:	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	120	120
Accumulated Amortization	-13	0
Net	$107	$120

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Aggregate Future Amortization Expense: (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Remainder of 2014	$4,509
2015	8,210
2016	7,202
2017	5,971
2018	5,229
Thereafter	9,166
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$40,287

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$68,742	$53,093
Acquisitions	0	17,382
Adjustments to fair value	0	1,844
Impairments	0	-3,577
Balance at end of period	68,742	68,742
Energy segment:	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	66,571	52,939
Acquisitions	0	11,788
Adjustments to fair value	0	1,844
Impairments	0	0
Balance at end of period	66,571	66,571
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	-3,577
Balance at end of period	$2,171	$2,171

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Components of Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$74,307	$74,307	'
Accumulated impairment	-5,565	-5,565	'
Goodwill	$68,742	$68,742	$53,093

Longterm_Debt_Details

Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Energy Credit Agreement

Energy Credit Agreement

Energy Credit Agreement

Amended Credit Agreement

Amended Credit Agreement

Amended Credit Agreement

Amended Credit Agreement

Amended Credit Agreement

Amended Credit Agreement

Sun Well 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

Steel Energy Ltd

Long-term Debt

Term Loan

Term Loan

Term Loan

Sun Well

Sun Well

Term Loan

Line of Credit

Steel Energy Ltd

Steel Energy Ltd

Revolving Credit Facility

Steel Energy Ltd

Steel Energy Ltd

Steel Energy Ltd

Steel Energy Ltd

Sun Well

Revolving Credit Facility

Steel Energy Ltd

Sun Well

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

$85,893,000

'

$85,893,000

'

$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%

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense

822,000

84,000

1,690,000

255,000

'

'

'

800,000

1,700,000

'

'

'

'

100,000

300,000

'

'

Interest on term loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

700,000

1,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of deferred financing fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000

'

$300,000

'

'

'

'

Longterm_Debt_Assets_Pledged_a

Long-term Debt - Assets Pledged as Collateral (Details) (Steel Energy Ltd and Subsidiaries, USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Steel Energy Ltd and Subsidiaries	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$12,088
Accounts receivable	28,594
Property and equipment, net	100,969
Intangible assets, net	38,526
Total	$180,177

Longterm_Debt_Principal_paymen

Long-term Debt - Principal payments under the Energy Credit Agreement (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Remainder of 2014	$6,607	'
2015	13,214	'
2016	13,214	'
2017	13,214	'
2018	39,644	'
Total	85,893	'
Less current portion	13,214	13,214
Total long-term debt	$72,679	$79,286

Other_Liabilities_Accrued_and_

Other Liabilities - Accrued and other liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued and other liabilities	$13,896	$7,775
Accrued compensation and related taxes	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	5,467	4,207
Deferred revenue	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	4,331	857
Insurance	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	1,327	310
Professional services	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	404	608
Accrued fuel and rig-related charges	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	1,498	901
Tax-related	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	253	385
Other	'	'
Accrued and other liabilities	$616	$507

Other_Liabilities_Other_longte

Other Liabilities - Other long-term liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Long-term liabilities	$3,819	$3,813
Deferred compensation	'	'
Other Long-term liabilities	3,709	3,709
Tax-related	'	'
Other Long-term liabilities	$110	$104

Interest_and_Other_Income_Inte

Interest and Other Income - Interest Income, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest income	$1,310	$1,330	$2,899	$2,124
Interest expense	-822	-84	-1,690	-255
Interest income, net	$488	$1,246	$1,209	$1,869

Interest_and_Other_Income_Othe

Interest and Other Income - Other Income, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Realized gain (loss) on sale of marketable securities, net	$2,076	($1,245)	$5,067	($29)
Realized loss on financial instrument obligation	-669	0	-669	0
Realized loss upon change to equity method at fair value	-568	0	-568	0
Other	-185	-33	-248	-110
Other income (expense), net	$654	($1,278)	$3,582	($139)

Income_Taxes_Detail

Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$693,000	$384,000	$2,596,000	$2,017,000
Reversal of valuation allowance	$1,100,000	$300,000	$3,200,000	$2,100,000

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Stockbased

Stock Benefit Plans - Stock-based compensation expenses (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Total stock-based compensation	$1,066	$1,057	$1,683	$1,677
Stock options	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	14	26	36	51
Restricted stock	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	$1,052	$1,031	$1,647	$1,626

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Restricted

Stock Benefit Plans Restricted Stock Activity (Details) (Restricted stock)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Restricted stock	'
Restricted Stock Activity (in shares)	'
Balance, beginning of period	142
Awarded	24
Vested	-21
Forfeited	-12
Balance, end of period	133

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		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Numerators:	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$8,732	$1,080	$12,797	$4,449
Non-controlling interest	11	36	337	56
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	8,743	1,116	13,134	4,505
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	-194	0	-589
Non-controlling interest	0	149	0	465
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	0	-45	0	-124
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$8,743	$1,071	$13,134	$4,381
Denominators:	'	'	'	'
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	11,895	12,718	11,938	12,796
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Stock-based awards (in Shares)	22	16	20	16
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	11,917	12,734	11,958	12,812
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.74	$0.09	$1.10	$0.35
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	$0	$0	($0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.74	$0.08	$1.10	$0.34
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.73	$0.09	$1.10	$0.35
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (in dollars per share)	$0	$0	$0	($0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$0.73	$0.08	$1.10	$0.34

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Changes, net of tax, in Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of period	$6,516
Other comprehensive income	5,820
Balance at end of period	12,336
Unrealized Gains on Securities	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of period	6,921
Other comprehensive income	5,806
Balance at end of period	12,727
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'
Balance at beginning of period	-405
Other comprehensive income	14
Balance at end of period	($391)

Segment_Information_Detail

Segment Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments (in segments)	2

Segment_Information_Operating_

Segment Information - Operating results (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$51,924	$28,761	$97,083	$55,112
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	4,023	728	3,969	702
Corporate and other business activities	-11,715	-7,977	-22,618	-15,689
Interest income, net	488	1,246	1,209	1,869
Other income (expense), net	654	-1,278	3,582	-139
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity method income	5,165	696	8,760	2,432
Depreciation and amortization	6,014	4,831	12,177	9,825
Energy segment:	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Revenues	47,153	27,071	91,066	53,110
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	7,905	3,392	13,372	6,619
Depreciation and amortization	5,612	4,682	11,405	9,537
Sports segment:	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Revenues	4,771	1,690	6,017	2,002
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	-10	-307	-2,042	-1,293
Depreciation and amortization	402	149	772	288
Total segment operating income	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	7,895	3,085	11,330	5,326
Corporate and other business activities	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Corporate and other business activities	($3,872)	($2,357)	($7,361)	($4,624)

Segment_Information_Assets_Det

Segment Information - Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total assets:	'	'
Total assets	$574,504	$538,706
Sports segment:	'	'
Total assets:	'	'
Total assets	20,861	20,495
Energy segment:	'	'
Total assets:	'	'
Total assets	251,848	244,413
Corporate and other business activities	'	'
Total assets:	'	'
Total assets	$301,795	$273,798

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

SP Corporate Services LLC

SP Corporate Services LLC

SP Corporate Services LLC

SP Corporate Services LLC

SP Corporate Services LLC

iGo

WebBank

WebBank

WebBank

WebBank

WebBank

Steel Excel

Monthly Expanded Services

Interest Income

Interest Income

Interest Income

Interest Income

Short-term deposits

Percentage Owned By Steel Partners

Ownership

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

57.30%

Provision of services

$2,200,000

$1,000,000

$4,400,000

$2,000,000

$700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts payable

400,000

'

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed annual fee

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term deposits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,200,000

'

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

$21,000

$23,000

$42,000

$48,000

'

'

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'	'
Interest paid	$1,423	$273
Income taxes paid	54	1,582
Reclassification of available-for-sale securities to equity method investment	27,647	0
Securities received in exchange for financial instrument obligations	19,341	0
Repurchase of common stock from Reverse Split not paid	10,023	0
Contribution of advances by non-controlling interest	268	0
Restricted stock awards surrendered to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon vesting	$14	$0

Stock_Split_Details

Stock Split (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
			Restricted stock	Reverse Stock Split	Forward Stock Split	Forward Stock Split
				Rate		Rate
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock split ratio	'	'	'	0.002	500	500
Stockholder ownership requiring cash payment, maximum (in shares)	'	'	'	500	'	'
Stockholder ownership not requiring cash payment, minimum (in shares)	'	'	'	500	'	'
Reverse stock split, payout	$10,023	$0	'	'	'	'
Reverse stock split, shares paid out (in shares)	295,659	'	1,388	'	'	'