Steel Excel (SXCL) 10-Q 11 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Steel Excel Inc.
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,565,103
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	709804
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$38,885	$45,159
Cost of revenues	32,188	35,101
Gross profit	6,697	10,058
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8,039	7,471
Amortization of intangibles	2,162	2,641
Total operating expenses	10,201	10,112
Operating loss	-3,504	-54
Interest expense	-642	-868
Other income (expense), net	-1,729	4,517
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity method loss	-5,875	3,595
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	372	-195
Loss from equity method investees, net of taxes	-2,110	-1,433
Net income (loss)	-7,613	1,967
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	363	326
Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	($7,250)	$2,293
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	$0.19
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	$0.19
Shares used in computing income (loss) per share:
Basic (in Shares)	11,475	11,981
Diluted (in Shares)	11,475	11,999

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	($7,613)		$1,967
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2		0
Reclassification to realized gains	0		0
Net foreign currency translation adjustment	2	[1]	0	[1]
Gross unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of tax	1,114	[2]	8,023	[2]
Reclassification to realized gains, net of tax	-185	[3]	-1,934	[3]
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes	929		6,089
Comprehensive income (loss)	-6,682		8,056
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	363		326
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	-6,319		8,382
Tax provision on gross unrealized gains	-548		0
Tax benefit on reclassifications to realized gains (losses)	$91		$0
[1]	No tax effect on cumulative translation adjustments
[2]	Tax provision on gross unrealized gains: $(548) $0
[3]	Tax benefit on reclassifications to realized gains: $91 $0

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$64,076	$51,910
Restricted cash	21,308	21,311
Marketable securities	124,385	138,457
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $61 in 2015)	17,788	28,016
Deferred income taxes	1,696	1,696
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,403	4,228
Total current assets	236,656	245,618
Property and equipment, net	104,305	107,187
Goodwill	30,864	30,864
Intangible assets, net	33,620	35,782
Other investments	28,483	28,525
Investments in equity method investees (fair value - $33,240 in 2015 and $26,871 2014)	38,808	30,060
Deferred income taxes	221	80
Other long-term assets	1,141	1,238
Total assets	474,098	479,354
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	3,160	3,936
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	17,719	8,916
Financial instrument obligations	21,308	21,311
Current portion of long-term debt	13,214	13,214
Current portion of capital lease obligations	412	412
Deferred income taxes	85	85
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	450	450
Total current liabilities	56,348	48,324
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	70	177
Long-term debt, net of current portion	62,768	66,071
Deferred income taxes	3,549	3,549
Other long-term liabilities	6	3,715
Total liabilities	122,741	121,836
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock ($0.001 par value, 40,000 shares authorized; 14,380 and 14,220 shares issued in 2015 and 2014, respectively; 11,566 and 11,406 shares outstanding in 2015 and 2014, respectively)	14	14
Additional paid-in capital	267,965	267,444
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-14,275	-15,206
Retained earnings	179,386	186,636
Treasury stock, at cost (2,814 shares in 2015 and 2014)	-81,355	-81,355
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity	351,735	357,533
Non-controlling interest	-378	-15
Total stockholders' equity	351,357	357,518
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$474,098	$479,354

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$61	$0
Fair value ofequity-method investment	$33,240	$26,871
Par Value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Shares Authorized (in shares)	40,000,000	40,000,000
Shares Issued (in shares)	14,380,000	14,220,000
Shares Outstanding (in shares)	11,566,000	11,406,000
Treasury stock (in shares)	2,814,000	2,814,000

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, unless otherwise specified
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2014	$357,518	$14	($81,355)	$267,444	($15,206)	$186,636	($15)
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		14,220	2,814
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	-7,250					-7,250
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	-363						-363
Other comprehensive income	931				931
Net issuance of restricted shares (in shares)		160
Net issuance of restricted shares	-18			-18
Stock-based compensation	539			539
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2015	$351,357	$14	($81,355)	$267,965	($14,275)	$179,386	($378)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015		14,380	2,814

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	($7,613)	$1,967
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss from equity method investees	2,110	1,433
Stock-based compensation expense	539	617
Depreciation and amortization	5,994	6,163
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	-598	78
Gain on sales of marketable securities	-135	-2,991
Loss on financial instrument obligations	186	0
Loss on change to equity method at fair value	2,807	0
Other	434	27
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	10,167	-160
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-3,152	-1,802
Accounts payable and other liabilities	4,583	4,526
Net cash provided by operating activities	15,322	9,858
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	-530
Purchases of property and equipment	-1,304	-3,279
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	27	26
Purchases of marketable securities	-5,058	-51,843
Sales of marketable securities	6,773	40,579
Proceeds from issuance of financial instrument obligations	89	0
Repayments of financial instrument obligations	-278	0
Other investments	0	-3,000
Reclassification of restricted cash	3	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	252	-18,047
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Repurchases of common stock - treasury shares	0	-1,377
Repayment of subordinated notes	0	-346
Repayments of capital lease obligations	-107	-101
Repayments of long-term debt	-3,303	-3,304
Net cash used in financing activities	-3,410	-5,128
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	12,164	-13,317
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents	2	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning balance	51,910	73,602
Cash and cash equivalents, ending balance	$64,076	$60,285

Description_and_Basis_of_Prese

Description and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 Services 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 makes significant non-controlling investments in entities in industries related to its reporting segments as well as entities in other unrelated industries. The Company continues to identify business acquisition opportunities in both the Energy and Sports industries as well as 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, 2014. 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.
	During 2015, the Company identified an error in the manner in which the provision for income taxes had been recorded for all quarterly and annual periods in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company's balance sheet at December 31, 2014, and its statement of operations, statement of comprehensive income, and statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014, have been revised to reflect the correction of these errors (see Note 3).
	Certain other prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 financial statement presentation.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
NewAccountingPronouncementsAndChangesInAccountingPrinciplesTextBlockAbstract
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by ASU No. 2015-03. ASU No. 2015-03 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. Upon adoption, ASU No. 2015-03 should be applied retrospectively, with the balance sheet of each individual period presented adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the standard. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2015-03 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Revised_Financials

Revised Financials	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Revised Financials	Revised Financial Statements
	During 2015, the Company identified an error related to the manner in which the change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was reflected in its financial statements for all annual and quarterly periods in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The change in valuation allowance, which resulted from a change in deferred tax liabilities related to unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, was recognized as a component of income from continuing operations, resulting in a benefit from or provision for income taxes allocated to continuing operations in each period, with an offsetting provision for or benefit from income taxes allocated to other comprehensive income relating to unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities. Upon subsequent review, the Company determined that proper intra-period allocation of the provision for income taxes would have resulted in this change in valuation allowance being allocated to other comprehensive income, resulting in no provision or benefit for such item. In periods in which the valuation allowance decreased, the impact of this error was an overstatement of income from continuing operations and an understatement of other comprehensive income; in periods in which the valuation allowance increased, the impact of this error was an understatement of income from continuing operations and an overstatement of other comprehensive income.
	The correction of this error has resulted in adjustments to the Company's balance sheet at December 31, 2014, and its statement of operations, statement of comprehensive income, and statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014. In addition, the Company's disclosures for the three months ended March 31, 2014, related to income taxes (see Note 12) and net income (loss) per share (see Note 14) have been revised to reflect the impact of these adjustments.
	As a result of these adjustments, there was no impact on any of the assets or liabilities reported at December 31, 2014, nor was there any impact on any component of income before income taxes and equity method loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The impact of these adjustments on the individual line items of the Company's financial statements was as follows:
	Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014:
		Previously Reported			Adjustments			Revised
		(in thousands)
	Stockholders' equity:
	Common stock	$	14		$	—		$	14
	Additional paid-in capital	267,444			—			267,444
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	(18,730		)	3,524			(15,206		)
	Retained earnings	190,160			(3,524		)	186,636
	Treasury stock, at cost	(81,355		)	—			(81,355		)
	Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity	357,533			—			357,533
	Non-controlling interest	(15		)	—			(15		)
	Total stockholders' equity	$	357,518		$	—		$	357,518
	Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Previously Reported			Adjustments			Revised
		(in thousands, except per-share data)
	Income before income taxes and equity method loss	$	3,595		$	—		$	3,595
	Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	1,903			(2,098		)	(195		)
	Loss from equity method investees, net of taxes	(1,433		)	—			(1,433		)
	Net income	4,065			(2,098		)	1,967
	Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	326			—			326
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	4,391		$	(2,098	)	$	2,293
	Basic and diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income (loss)	$	0.37		$	(0.18	)	$	0.19
	Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Previously Reported			Adjustments			Revised
		(in thousands)
	Net income (loss)	$	4,065		$	(2,098	)	$	1,967
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	—			—			—
	Reclassification to realized gains	—			—			—
	Net foreign currency translation adjustment (A)	—			—			—
	Marketable securities:
	Gross unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of tax (B)	5,259			2,764			8,023
	Reclassification to realized gains, net of tax (C)	(1,268		)	(666		)	(1,934		)
	Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes	3,991			2,098			6,089
	Comprehensive income (loss)	8,056			—			8,056
	Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	326			—			326
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	8,382		$	—		$	8,382
	(A) No tax effect on cumulative translation adjustments
	(B) Tax provision on gross unrealized gains	$	(2,764	)	$	2,764		$	—
	(C) Tax benefit on reclassifications to realized gains (losses)	$	666		$	(666	)	$	—
	Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Previously Reported			Adjustments			Revised
		(in thousands)
	Net income	$	4,065		$	(2,098	)	$	1,967
	Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	$	(2,020	)	$	2,098		$	78
	Cash provided by operating activities	$	9,858		$	—		$	9,858
	The selected quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, revised to reflect the adjustments to correct the error, is as follows:
		Quarter Ended:
		31-Mar			30-Jun			30-Sep			December 31 (A)
		(in thousands, except per-share data)
	Year Ended December 31, 2014 (B)
	Net revenues	$	45,159		$	51,924		$	58,583		$	54,482
	Gross profits	$	10,058		$	15,003		$	17,183		$	13,799
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	1,967		$	7,657		$	75		$	(33,968	)
	Net income (loss)	$	1,967		$	7,657		$	75		$	(33,462	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	2,293		$	7,668		$	(163	)	$	(33,605	)
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	2,293		$	7,668		$	(163	)	$	(33,832	)
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc. per share of common stock
	Basic	$	0.19		$	0.64		$	(0.01	)	$	(2.97	)
Diluted	$	0.19		$	0.64		$	(0.01	)	$	(2.97	)
Year Ended December 31, 2013 (C)
Net revenues	$	26,351		$	28,761		$	31,420		$	33,496
Gross profits	$	6,983		$	8,041		$	8,010		$	9,120
Net income from continuing operations	$	1,602		$	732		$	2,383		$	8,150
Net income	$	1,207		$	538		$	1,495		$	4,087
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	1,543		$	723		$	1,806		$	6,599
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	1,622		$	768		$	2,205		$	8,428
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc. per share of common stock
Basic	$	0.13		$	0.06		$	0.18		$	0.69
Diluted	$	0.13		$	0.06		$	0.18		$	0.69
(A) Includes goodwill impairments of $36.7 million and a foreign tax benefit of $1.7 million.
(B) Reflects adjustments to correct the provision for income taxes of $2.1 million, $1.1 million, $(1.0) million, and $(2.2) million in the four sequential quarters of 2014, respectively.
(C) Reflects adjustments to the provision for income taxes of $1.8 million, $0.3 million, $0.7 million, and $0.7 million in the four sequential quarters of 2013, respectively.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions
	In February 2014, UK Elite Soccer, Inc. ("UK Elite"), the Sports' segment soccer operation, acquired the business and assets of an independent provider of soccer clinics and camps for a total purchase price of $0.5 million. In connection with this acquisition, the Company recognized approximately $0.5 million in intangible assets representing customer relationships.

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	Investments
	Marketable Securities
	All of the Company's marketable securities at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, were classified as "available-for-sale" securities, with changes in fair value recognized in stockholders' equity as "other comprehensive income (loss)". Marketable securities at March 31, 2015, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	41,704			$	—			$	—			$	41,704
	Mutual funds	17,030				4,713				(272		)		21,471
	Corporate securities	88,392				8,963				(25,277		)		72,078
	Corporate obligations	32,396				481				(2,041		)		30,836
	Total available-for-sale securities	179,522				14,157				(27,590		)		166,089
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(41,704		)		—				—				(41,704		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	137,818			$	14,157			$	(27,590	)		$	124,385
	Marketable securities at December 31, 2014, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	42,681			$	—			$	—			$	42,681
	Mutual funds	17,030				4,262				(322		)		20,970
	Corporate securities	103,761				7,821				(23,732		)		87,850
	Corporate obligations	32,486				592				(3,441		)		29,637
	Total available-for-sale securities	195,958				12,675				(27,495		)		181,138
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(42,681		)		—				—				(42,681		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	153,277			$	12,675			$	(27,495	)		$	138,457
	Proceeds from sales of marketable securities were $6.8 million and $40.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company determines gains and losses from sales of marketable securities based on specific identification of the securities sold. Gross realized gains and losses from sales of marketable securities, all of which are reported as a component of "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
		(in thousands)
	Gross realized gains	$	510			$	3,200
	Gross realized losses	(375		)		(209		)
	Realized gains (losses), net	$	135			$	2,991
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2015, all of which had unrealized losses for periods of less than twelve months, were as follows:
		Fair				Gross
		Value				Unrealized
						Losses
		(in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	40,326			$	(25,277	)
	Corporate obligations	14,741				(2,041		)
	Mutual funds	4,922				(272		)
	Total	$	59,989			$	(27,590	)
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2014, all of which had unrealized losses for periods of less than twelve months, were as follows:
		Fair				Gross
		Value				Unrealized
						Losses
		(in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	39,869			$	(23,732	)
	Corporate obligations	13,530				(3,441		)
	Mutual funds	4,873				(322		)
	Total	$	58,272			$	(27,495	)
	Gross unrealized losses primarily related to losses on corporate securities. The Company has evaluated such securities, which primarily consist of investments in in equity securities of publicly-traded entities, as of March 31, 2015, 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 and marketable securities with no contractual maturities at March 31, 2015, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
		Cost				Estimated
						Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Debt securities:
	Mature in one year or less	$	202			$	207
	Mature in more than three years	32,194				30,629
	Total debt securities	32,396				30,836
	Securities with no contractual maturities	147,126				135,253
	Total	$	179,522			$	166,089
	Financial Instrument Obligations
	Financial instrument obligations consisted of the following:
	31-Mar-15								December 31, 2014
	Initial Obligation				Estimated Fair				Initial Obligation				Estimated Fair
					Value								Value
	(in thousands)
Corporate securities	$	675			$	744			$	666			$	621
Market indices	18,685				20,540				18,685				20,451
Covered call options	55				24				7				4
Naked put options	—				—				109				235
Total	$	19,415			$	21,308			$	19,467			$	21,311
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company incurred losses on the financial instrument obligations totaling $0.2 million, which are included as a component of "Other income (expense), net" in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
Equity-Method Investments
In January 2013, the Company acquired a 40% membership interest in Again Faster LLC ("Again Faster"), a fitness equipment company. In August 2013, the Company acquired approximately 44.7% of the common stock of iGo, Inc. (“iGo”), a provider of mobile accessories. Both Again Faster and iGo are accounted for using the traditional method of accounting for equity-method investments, with the Company recognizing its equity in the income and losses of each entity on a one-quarter lag basis.
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 20.6% 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".
In January 2015, two members of the Company's board of directors were appointed to the eight-member board of directors of Aviat Networks, Inc. ("Aviat"), a global provider of microwave networking solutions. At the time of the appointment, the Company held 8,041,892 shares of Aviat, or approximately 12.9% of the total outstanding common stock. Effective as of the date of the appointment, the investment in Aviat has been accounted for as an equity-method investment as the Company’s voting interest and board representation provide it with significant influence over Aviat's operations. The Company elected the fair value option to account for its investment in Aviat, with changes in fair value based on the market price of Aviat's common stock recognized currently as income or loss from equity method investees, in order to more appropriately reflect the value of Aviat in its financial statements. Prior to such time the investment in Aviat was accounted for as an available-for-sale security, and upon the change in classification the Company recognized a loss of approximately $2.8 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
	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014			March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014				March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
							(in thousands)
Traditional equity method
Again Faster	40	%		40	%		$	2,683			$	3,105			$	(422	)	$	(129	)
iGo	46.9	%		46.9	%		2,885				2,600				285			(1,304		)
Fair value option
API	20.6	%		20.6	%		23,669				24,355				(686		)	—
Aviat	12.9	%					9,571								(1,287		)	—
Total							$	38,808			$	30,060			$	(2,110	)	$	(1,433	)
Based on the closing market price of iGo’s publicly-traded shares, the value of the Company’s investment in iGo was approximately $3.3 million at March 31, 2015.
The following table presents summarized income statement information for the Company's significant equity-method investees for three months ended March 31, 2015. The summarized income statement information is for the most recent practicable period for equity-method investments accounted for using the fair value option and as of the date through which Company has recognized its equity in the income of the investee for equity-method investments accounted for using the traditional method. The summarized income statement information is included for the periods during which such significant equity-method investments were accounted for as equity-method investments.
		Amount
		(in thousands)
Revenues		$	143,350
Gross profit		$	38,149
Loss from continuing operations		$	(5,379	)
Net loss		$	(5,479	)
Net loss attributable to investees		$	(5,479	)
Other Investments
The Company's other investments at March 31, 2015, 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 $26.7 million at March 31, 2015, based on the net asset value indicated in the monthly statement received from the partnership. The Company's other investments at March 31, 2015, also include an investment in a venture capital fund 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 March 31, 2015.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
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 a venture capital fund to determine the fair value of such fund.  The Company determines the fair value of certain corporate securities and corporate obligations by incorporating and reviewing prices provided by third-party pricing services based on the specific features of the underlying securities.
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2015, summarized by measurement input category, were as follows:
		Total			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash, including short-term deposits(1)	$	64,076		$	64,076		$	—	$	—
	Restricted cash	21,308			21,308			—		—
	Mutual funds(2)	21,471			21,471			—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	72,078			59,890			—		12,188
	Corporate obligations(2)	30,836			—			12,134		18,702
	Investments in equity-method investees	33,240			33,240			—		—
	Investments in certain funds(3)	483			—			—		483
	Total assets	$	243,492		$	199,985		$	12,134	$	31,373
	Liabilities
	Financial instrument obligations	$	(21,308	)	$	(21,308	)	$	—	$	—
	-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, 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)	$	51,910		$	51,910		$	—	$	—
	Mutual funds(2)	20,970			20,970			—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	87,850			72,798			—		15,052
	Corporate obligations(2)	29,637			—			10,793		18,844
	Investments in certain funds(3)	525			—			—		525
	Total	$	190,892		$	145,678		$	10,793	$	34,421
	Liabilities
	Financial instrument obligations	$	(21,311	)	$	(21,311	)	$	—	$	—
	-1	Reported within "Cash and cash equivalents."
	-2	Reported within “Marketable securities.”
	-3	Reported within "Other investments."
	There were no transfers of securities among the various measurement input levels during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Changes in the fair value of assets valued using Level 3 measurement inputs during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of period	$	34,421		$	24,209
	Purchases	—			5,299
	Sales	(163		)	(1,974		)
	Unrealized gains (losses)	(2,885		)	2,857
	Balance, end of period	$	31,373		$	30,391
	Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments using Level 3 measurement inputs are recognized as a component of "Other income (expense), net". Unrealized gains and losses on investments using Level 3 measurement inputs are recognized as a component of "Other comprehensive income".
	The carrying value of the Company's long-term debt (see Note 9) is a reasonable approximation of its fair value since it is a variable-rate obligation.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Rigs and other equipment	$	116,235		$	115,391
	Buildings and improvements	19,206			18,977
	Land	1,893			1,893
	Vehicles	2,304			2,197
	Furniture and fixtures	776			673
	Assets in progress	298			644
		140,712			139,775
	Accumulated depreciation	(36,407		)	(32,588		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	104,305		$	107,187
	Depreciation expense was $3.8 million and $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The Company's intangible assets at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, all of which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Cost			Accumulated			Net		Cost			Accumulated			Net
					Amortization								Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Energy segment:
	Customer relationships	$	54,430		$	(23,805	)	$	30,625	$	54,430		$	(21,938	)	$	32,492
	Trade names	4,860			(3,317		)	1,543		4,860			(3,161		)	1,699
	Non-compete agreement	120			(31		)	89		120			(25		)	95
		59,410			(27,153		)	32,257		59,410			(25,124		)	34,286
	Sports segment:
	Customer relationships	2,089			(805		)	1,284		2,089			(678		)	1,411
	Trade names	122			(43		)	79		122			(37		)	85
		2,211			(848		)	1,363		2,211			(715		)	1,496
	Total	$	61,621		$	(28,001	)	$	33,620	$	61,621		$	(25,839	)	$	35,782
	Amortization expense was $2.2 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Estimated aggregate amortization expense related to the intangible assets for the remainder of 2015 and subsequent years is as follows:
					Amount
					(in thousands)
	Remainder of 2015				$	6,049
	2016				7,202
	2017				5,972
	2018				5,229
	2019				2,814
	Thereafter				6,354
	Total				$	33,620
	The changes to the Company’s carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015								Year ended December 31, 2014
		Energy			Sports			Total		Energy			Sports			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of period	$	28,693		$	2,171		$	30,864	$	65,359		$	2,171		$	67,530
	Impairments	—			—			—		(36,666		)	—			(36,666		)
	Balance, end of period	$	28,693		$	2,171		$	30,864	$	28,693		$	2,171		$	30,864
	The components of goodwill at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, were as follows:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Goodwill	$	73,095		$	73,095
	Accumulated impairment	(42,231		)	(42,231		)
	Net goodwill	$	30,864		$	30,864

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-term Debt
	Steel Energy has a credit agreement, as amended (the “Amended Credit Agreement”), with Wells Fargo Bank National Association, RBS Citizens, N.A., and Comerica Bank that provides 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 Service, Inc. (“Sun Well”), Rogue Pressure Services, LLC (“Rogue”), and Black Hawk Energy Services Ltd. ("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 March 31, 2015, 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	$	41,734
	Accounts receivable	16,710
	Property and equipment, net	96,210
	Intangible assets, net	32,257
	Total	$	186,911
	The Amended Credit Agreement has a term that runs through July 2018, with the Term Loan amortizing in quarterly installments of $3.3 million and a balloon payment due on the maturity date. At March 31, 2015, $76.0 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 2015 and subsequent years are as follows:
				Amount
				(in thousands)
	Remainder of 2015			$	9,911
	2016			13,214
	2017			13,214
	2018			39,643
	Total			75,982
	Less current portion			13,214
	Total long-term debt			$	62,768
	The interest rate on the borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement was 2.8% at March 31, 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred interest expense of $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in connection with the Amended Credit Agreement. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the Amended Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2015.

Other_Liabilities

Other Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	Other Liabilities
	“Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation and related taxes	$	5,285	$	5,471
	Deferred compensation	3,515		—
	Deferred revenue	3,494		1,308
	Insurance	2,535		—
	Professional services	264		763
	Accrued fuel and rig-related charges	2,076		601
	Tax-related	120		238
	Other	430		535
	Total	$	17,719	$	8,916
	“Other long-term liabilities” at December 31, 2014, primarily consisted deferred compensation arrangements that are expected to be paid out in 2016.

Other_Income_Expense_net

Other Income (Expense), net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Other Income (Expense), net	Other Income (Expense), net
	"Other income (expense), net" consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Investment income	$	1,564		$	1,589
	Realized gain on sales of marketable securities, net	135			2,991
	Realized loss on financial instrument obligations	(186		)	—
	Realized loss upon change to equity method at fair value	(2,807		)	—
	Foreign exchange loss	(288		)	—
	Other	(147		)	(63		)
	Other income (expense), net	$	(1,729	)	$	4,517

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015, the Company recognized a benefit from income taxes of $0.4 million, which primarily reflects the allowable benefit recognized from a valuation allowance adjustment resulting from an increase in deferred tax liabilities related to net unrealized gains on marketable securities. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recognized a provision for income taxes of $0.2 million, which primarily reflects state and alternative minimum taxes.

Stock_Benefit_Plans

Stock Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Stock options	$	—	$	22
	Restricted stock	539		595
	Total stock-based compensation	$	539	$	617
	Restricted stock activity in the Equity Plans during the three months ended March 31, 2015, was as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Non-vested stock, January 1, 2015	57
	Awarded	161
	Vested	(3	)
	Non-vested stock, March 31, 2015	215
	The Company did not grant any stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
					(Revised)
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerators:
	Net income (loss)	$	(7,613	)	$	1,967
	Non-controlling interest	363			326
	Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	(7,250	)	$	2,293
	Denominators:
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	11,475			11,981
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock-based awards	—			18
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	11,475			11,999
	Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income (loss)	$	(0.63	)	$	0.19
	Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income (loss)	$	(0.63	)	$	0.19
	The number of shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015, excluded 15,000 incremental shares related to restricted stock awards.  Such incremental shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share due to their anti-dilutive effect on the loss from continuing operations.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, 2015	$	(14,821	)	$	(385	)	$	(15,206	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,114			2			1,116
	Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income	(185		)	—			(185		)
	Current period other comprehensive income	929			2			931
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	(13,892	)	$	(383	)	$	(14,275	)
	Amounts reclassified for realized gains on marketable securities for the three months ended March 31, 2015, are reported as a component of "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statement of operations.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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) before goodwill impairments.
	Segment information relating to the Company's results from continuing operations was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenues
	Energy	$	37,132		$	43,913
	Sports	1,753			1,246
	Total revenues	$	38,885		$	45,159
	Operating income (loss) before goodwill impairments
	Energy	$	2,359		$	5,467
	Sports	(2,539		)	(2,032		)
	Total segment operating income (loss)	(180		)	3,435
	Corporate and other business activities	(3,324		)	(3,489		)
	Interest expense	(642		)	(868		)
	Other income (expense), net	(1,729		)	4,517
	Income (loss) before income taxes and equity method loss	$	(5,875	)	$	3,595
	Depreciation and amortization expense:
	Energy	$	5,565		$	5,793
	Sports	429			370
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	5,994		$	6,163
	Segment information related to the Company's assets was as follows:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Sports	$	18,559		$	18,625
	Energy	220,068			220,262
	Corporate and other business activities	235,471			240,467
	Total assets	$	474,098		$	479,354

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions
	Steel Partners Holdings L.P. ("SPLP") beneficially owned approximately 57.2% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of March 31, 2015. 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.
	The Company has contracted with SP Corporate Services LLC (“SP Corporate”), an affiliate of SPLP, to provide executive and financial management services in the areas of finance, regulatory reporting, and other administrative and operational functions, including the services of a chief financial officer. In addition, the Company reimburses SP Corporate and other SPLP affiliates for certain expenses incurred on the Company’s behalf. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred expenses of $2.2 million and $2.2 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 $0.1 million at March 31, 2015.
	The Company uses several firms to execute trades of its marketable securities and certain of its other investments. The Company uses Mutual Securities, Inc. ("Mutual Securities"), to execute certain trades, including repurchases of the Company's common stock. Jack L. Howard, the Company's principal executive officer, is a registered principal of Mutual Securities and receives commission payments from Mutual Securities after deductions for fees and expenses. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company paid commissions to Mutual Securities totaling $11,000 and $123,000, respectively.
	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 March 31, 2015, the Company held $9.3 million of short-term deposits at WebBank, an affiliate of SPLP. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded interest income of $16,000 and $7,000, respectively, on such deposits.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Interest paid	$	556	$	735
	Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$	61	$	44
	Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Reclassification of available-for-sale securities to equity method investment	$	10,858	$	—
	Securities received in exchange for financial instrument obligations	$	76	$	—
	Securities delivered in exchange for settlement of financial instrument obligations	$	76	$	—
	Restricted stock awards surrendered to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon vesting	$	18	$	—

Revised_Financials_Tables

Revised Financials (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Schedule of Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments	The impact of these adjustments on the individual line items of the Company's financial statements was as follows:
	Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014:
		Previously Reported			Adjustments			Revised
		(in thousands)
	Stockholders' equity:
	Common stock	$	14		$	—		$	14
	Additional paid-in capital	267,444			—			267,444
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	(18,730		)	3,524			(15,206		)
	Retained earnings	190,160			(3,524		)	186,636
	Treasury stock, at cost	(81,355		)	—			(81,355		)
	Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity	357,533			—			357,533
	Non-controlling interest	(15		)	—			(15		)
	Total stockholders' equity	$	357,518		$	—		$	357,518
	Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Previously Reported			Adjustments			Revised
		(in thousands, except per-share data)
	Income before income taxes and equity method loss	$	3,595		$	—		$	3,595
	Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	1,903			(2,098		)	(195		)
	Loss from equity method investees, net of taxes	(1,433		)	—			(1,433		)
	Net income	4,065			(2,098		)	1,967
	Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	326			—			326
	Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	4,391		$	(2,098	)	$	2,293
	Basic and diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income (loss)	$	0.37		$	(0.18	)	$	0.19
	Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Previously Reported			Adjustments			Revised
		(in thousands)
	Net income (loss)	$	4,065		$	(2,098	)	$	1,967
	Other comprehensive income (loss):
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	—			—			—
	Reclassification to realized gains	—			—			—
	Net foreign currency translation adjustment (A)	—			—			—
	Marketable securities:
	Gross unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of tax (B)	5,259			2,764			8,023
	Reclassification to realized gains, net of tax (C)	(1,268		)	(666		)	(1,934		)
	Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes	3,991			2,098			6,089
	Comprehensive income (loss)	8,056			—			8,056
	Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	326			—			326
	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	8,382		$	—		$	8,382
	(A) No tax effect on cumulative translation adjustments
	(B) Tax provision on gross unrealized gains	$	(2,764	)	$	2,764		$	—
	(C) Tax benefit on reclassifications to realized gains (losses)	$	666		$	(666	)	$	—
	Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Previously Reported			Adjustments			Revised
		(in thousands)
	Net income	$	4,065		$	(2,098	)	$	1,967
	Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	$	(2,020	)	$	2,098		$	78
	Cash provided by operating activities	$	9,858		$	—		$	9,858
	The selected quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, revised to reflect the adjustments to correct the error, is as follows:
		Quarter Ended:
		31-Mar			30-Jun			30-Sep			December 31 (A)
		(in thousands, except per-share data)
	Year Ended December 31, 2014 (B)
	Net revenues	$	45,159		$	51,924		$	58,583		$	54,482
	Gross profits	$	10,058		$	15,003		$	17,183		$	13,799
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	1,967		$	7,657		$	75		$	(33,968	)
	Net income (loss)	$	1,967		$	7,657		$	75		$	(33,462	)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	2,293		$	7,668		$	(163	)	$	(33,605	)
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	2,293		$	7,668		$	(163	)	$	(33,832	)
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc. per share of common stock
	Basic	$	0.19		$	0.64		$	(0.01	)	$	(2.97	)
	Diluted	$	0.19		$	0.64		$	(0.01	)	$	(2.97	)
	Year Ended December 31, 2013 (C)
	Net revenues	$	26,351		$	28,761		$	31,420		$	33,496
Gross profits	$	6,983		$	8,041		$	8,010		$	9,120
Net income from continuing operations	$	1,602		$	732		$	2,383		$	8,150
Net income	$	1,207		$	538		$	1,495		$	4,087
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	1,543		$	723		$	1,806		$	6,599
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	1,622		$	768		$	2,205		$	8,428
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc. per share of common stock
Basic	$	0.13		$	0.06		$	0.18		$	0.69
Diluted	$	0.13		$	0.06		$	0.18		$	0.69
(A) Includes goodwill impairments of $36.7 million and a foreign tax benefit of $1.7 million.
(B) Reflects adjustments to correct the provision for income taxes of $2.1 million, $1.1 million, $(1.0) million, and $(2.2) million in the four sequential quarters of 2014, respectively.
(C) Reflects adjustments to the provision for income taxes of $1.8 million, $0.3 million, $0.7 million, and $0.7 million in the four sequential quarters of 2013, respectively.

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	Marketable securities at March 31, 2015, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	41,704			$	—			$	—			$	41,704
	Mutual funds	17,030				4,713				(272		)		21,471
	Corporate securities	88,392				8,963				(25,277		)		72,078
	Corporate obligations	32,396				481				(2,041		)		30,836
	Total available-for-sale securities	179,522				14,157				(27,590		)		166,089
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(41,704		)		—				—				(41,704		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	137,818			$	14,157			$	(27,590	)		$	124,385
	Marketable securities at December 31, 2014, consisted of the following:
		Cost				Gross				Gross				Estimated
						Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
						Gains				Losses				Value
		(in thousands)
	Short-term deposits	$	42,681			$	—			$	—			$	42,681
	Mutual funds	17,030				4,262				(322		)		20,970
	Corporate securities	103,761				7,821				(23,732		)		87,850
	Corporate obligations	32,486				592				(3,441		)		29,637
	Total available-for-sale securities	195,958				12,675				(27,495		)		181,138
	Amounts classified as cash equivalents	(42,681		)		—				—				(42,681		)
	Amounts classified as marketable securities	$	153,277			$	12,675			$	(27,495	)		$	138,457
Available-for-sale Securities	Gross realized gains and losses from sales of marketable securities, all of which are reported as a component of "Other income (expense), net" in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
		(in thousands)
	Gross realized gains	$	510			$	3,200
	Gross realized losses	(375		)		(209		)
	Realized gains (losses), net	$	135			$	2,991
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at March 31, 2015, all of which had unrealized losses for periods of less than twelve months, were as follows:
		Fair				Gross
		Value				Unrealized
						Losses
		(in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	40,326			$	(25,277	)
	Corporate obligations	14,741				(2,041		)
	Mutual funds	4,922				(272		)
	Total	$	59,989			$	(27,590	)
	The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2014, all of which had unrealized losses for periods of less than twelve months, were as follows:
		Fair				Gross
		Value				Unrealized
						Losses
		(in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	39,869			$	(23,732	)
	Corporate obligations	13,530				(3,441		)
	Mutual funds	4,873				(322		)
	Total	$	58,272			$	(27,495	)
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale debt securities and marketable securities with no contractual maturities at March 31, 2015, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
		Cost				Estimated
						Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Debt securities:
	Mature in one year or less	$	202			$	207
	Mature in more than three years	32,194				30,629
	Total debt securities	32,396				30,836
	Securities with no contractual maturities	147,126				135,253
	Total	$	179,522			$	166,089
Financial Instrument Obligations	Financial instrument obligations consisted of the following:
		31-Mar-15								December 31, 2014
		Initial Obligation				Estimated Fair				Initial Obligation				Estimated Fair
						Value								Value
		(in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	675			$	744			$	666			$	621
	Market indices	18,685				20,540				18,685				20,451
	Covered call options	55				24				7				4
	Naked put options	—				—				109				235
	Total	$	19,415			$	21,308			$	19,467			$	21,311
Equity Method Investments	The summarized income statement information is included for the periods during which such significant equity-method investments were accounted for as equity-method investments.
			Amount
			(in thousands)
	Revenues		$	143,350
	Gross profit		$	38,149
	Loss from continuing operations		$	(5,379	)
	Net loss		$	(5,479	)
	Net loss attributable to investees		$	(5,479	)
	The following table summarizes the Company's equity-method investments.
		Ownership						Carrying Value								Income (Loss) Recognized
																Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014			March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014				March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
								(in thousands)
	Traditional equity method
	Again Faster	40	%		40	%		$	2,683			$	3,105			$	(422	)	$	(129	)
	iGo	46.9	%		46.9	%		2,885				2,600				285			(1,304		)
	Fair value option
	API	20.6	%		20.6	%		23,669				24,355				(686		)	—
	Aviat	12.9	%					9,571								(1,287		)	—
	Total							$	38,808			$	30,060			$	(2,110	)	$	(1,433	)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2015, summarized by measurement input category, were as follows:
		Total			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash, including short-term deposits(1)	$	64,076		$	64,076		$	—	$	—
	Restricted cash	21,308			21,308			—		—
	Mutual funds(2)	21,471			21,471			—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	72,078			59,890			—		12,188
	Corporate obligations(2)	30,836			—			12,134		18,702
	Investments in equity-method investees	33,240			33,240			—		—
	Investments in certain funds(3)	483			—			—		483
	Total assets	$	243,492		$	199,985		$	12,134	$	31,373
	Liabilities
	Financial instrument obligations	$	(21,308	)	$	(21,308	)	$	—	$	—
	-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, 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)	$	51,910		$	51,910		$	—	$	—
	Mutual funds(2)	20,970			20,970			—		—
	Corporate securities(2)	87,850			72,798			—		15,052
	Corporate obligations(2)	29,637			—			10,793		18,844
	Investments in certain funds(3)	525			—			—		525
	Total	$	190,892		$	145,678		$	10,793	$	34,421
	Liabilities
	Financial instrument obligations	$	(21,311	)	$	(21,311	)	$	—	$	—
	-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 three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of period	$	34,421		$	24,209
	Purchases	—			5,299
	Sales	(163		)	(1,974		)
	Unrealized gains (losses)	(2,885		)	2,857
	Balance, end of period	$	31,373		$	30,391

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property and equipment at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Rigs and other equipment	$	116,235		$	115,391
	Buildings and improvements	19,206			18,977
	Land	1,893			1,893
	Vehicles	2,304			2,197
	Furniture and fixtures	776			673
	Assets in progress	298			644
		140,712			139,775
	Accumulated depreciation	(36,407		)	(32,588		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	104,305		$	107,187

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	The Company's intangible assets at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, all of which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Cost			Accumulated			Net		Cost			Accumulated			Net
					Amortization								Amortization
		(in thousands)
	Energy segment:
	Customer relationships	$	54,430		$	(23,805	)	$	30,625	$	54,430		$	(21,938	)	$	32,492
	Trade names	4,860			(3,317		)	1,543		4,860			(3,161		)	1,699
	Non-compete agreement	120			(31		)	89		120			(25		)	95
		59,410			(27,153		)	32,257		59,410			(25,124		)	34,286
	Sports segment:
	Customer relationships	2,089			(805		)	1,284		2,089			(678		)	1,411
	Trade names	122			(43		)	79		122			(37		)	85
		2,211			(848		)	1,363		2,211			(715		)	1,496
	Total	$	61,621		$	(28,001	)	$	33,620	$	61,621		$	(25,839	)	$	35,782
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	Estimated aggregate amortization expense related to the intangible assets for the remainder of 2015 and subsequent years is as follows:
					Amount
					(in thousands)
	Remainder of 2015				$	6,049
	2016				7,202
	2017				5,972
	2018				5,229
	2019				2,814
	Thereafter				6,354
	Total				$	33,620
Schedule of Goodwill	The changes to the Company’s carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015								Year ended December 31, 2014
		Energy			Sports			Total		Energy			Sports			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of period	$	28,693		$	2,171		$	30,864	$	65,359		$	2,171		$	67,530
	Impairments	—			—			—		(36,666		)	—			(36,666		)
	Balance, end of period	$	28,693		$	2,171		$	30,864	$	28,693		$	2,171		$	30,864
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill	The components of goodwill at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, were as follows:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Goodwill	$	73,095		$	73,095
	Accumulated impairment	(42,231		)	(42,231		)
	Net goodwill	$	30,864		$	30,864

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Assets Pledged as Collateral	The carrying values as of March 31, 2015, 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	$	41,734
	Accounts receivable	16,710
	Property and equipment, net	96,210
	Intangible assets, net	32,257
	Total	$	186,911
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Principal payments under the Amended Credit Agreement for the remainder of 2015 and subsequent years are as follows:
				Amount
				(in thousands)
	Remainder of 2015			$	9,911
	2016			13,214
	2017			13,214
	2018			39,643
	Total			75,982
	Less current portion			13,214
	Total long-term debt			$	62,768

Other_Liabilities_Tables

Other Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	“Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation and related taxes	$	5,285	$	5,471
	Deferred compensation	3,515		—
	Deferred revenue	3,494		1,308
	Insurance	2,535		—
	Professional services	264		763
	Accrued fuel and rig-related charges	2,076		601
	Tax-related	120		238
	Other	430		535
	Total	$	17,719	$	8,916

Other_Income_Expense_net_Table

Other Income (Expense), net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Income (Expense), Net	"Other income (expense), net" consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Investment income	$	1,564		$	1,589
	Realized gain on sales of marketable securities, net	135			2,991
	Realized loss on financial instrument obligations	(186		)	—
	Realized loss upon change to equity method at fair value	(2,807		)	—
	Foreign exchange loss	(288		)	—
	Other	(147		)	(63		)
	Other income (expense), net	$	(1,729	)	$	4,517

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Stock Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Stock options	$	—	$	22
	Restricted stock	539		595
	Total stock-based compensation	$	539	$	617
Restricted Stock Activity	Restricted stock activity in the Equity Plans during the three months ended March 31, 2015, was as follows:
		Amount
		(in thousands)
	Non-vested stock, January 1, 2015	57
	Awarded	161
	Vested	(3	)
	Non-vested stock, March 31, 2015	215

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
					(Revised)
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerators:
	Net income (loss)	$	(7,613	)	$	1,967
	Non-controlling interest	363			326
	Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$	(7,250	)	$	2,293
	Denominators:
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	11,475			11,981
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock-based awards	—			18
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	11,475			11,999
	Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income (loss)	$	(0.63	)	$	0.19
	Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
	Net income (loss)	$	(0.63	)	$	0.19

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of 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, 2015	$	(14,821	)	$	(385	)	$	(15,206	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,114			2			1,116
	Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income	(185		)	—			(185		)
	Current period other comprehensive income	929			2			931
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	(13,892	)	$	(383	)	$	(14,275	)

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	Segment information relating to the Company's results from continuing operations was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenues
	Energy	$	37,132		$	43,913
	Sports	1,753			1,246
	Total revenues	$	38,885		$	45,159
	Operating income (loss) before goodwill impairments
	Energy	$	2,359		$	5,467
	Sports	(2,539		)	(2,032		)
	Total segment operating income (loss)	(180		)	3,435
	Corporate and other business activities	(3,324		)	(3,489		)
	Interest expense	(642		)	(868		)
	Other income (expense), net	(1,729		)	4,517
	Income (loss) before income taxes and equity method loss	$	(5,875	)	$	3,595
	Depreciation and amortization expense:
	Energy	$	5,565		$	5,793
	Sports	429			370
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	5,994		$	6,163
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	Segment information related to the Company's assets was as follows:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Sports	$	18,559		$	18,625
	Energy	220,068			220,262
	Corporate and other business activities	235,471			240,467
	Total assets	$	474,098		$	479,354

Supplemental_Cash_Flows_Inform

Supplemental Cash Flows Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures	Cash paid for interest and income taxes and non-cash investing and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, was as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Interest paid	$	556	$	735
	Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$	61	$	44
	Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Reclassification of available-for-sale securities to equity method investment	$	10,858	$	—
	Securities received in exchange for financial instrument obligations	$	76	$	—
	Securities delivered in exchange for settlement of financial instrument obligations	$	76	$	—
	Restricted stock awards surrendered to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon vesting	$	18	$	—

Description_and_Basis_of_Prese1

Description and Basis of Presentation (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments (in segments)	2

Revised_Financials_Balance_She

Revised Financials - Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Common stock	$14	$14
Additional paid-in capital	267,965	267,444
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-14,275	-15,206
Retained earnings	179,386	186,636
Treasury stock, at cost	-81,355	-81,355
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity	351,735	357,533
Non-controlling interest	-378	-15
Total stockholders' equity	351,357	357,518
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets
Common stock		14
Additional paid-in capital		267,444
Accumulated other comprehensive income		-15,206
Retained earnings		186,636
Treasury stock, at cost		-81,355
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity		357,533
Non-controlling interest		-15
Total stockholders' equity		357,518
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets | Previously Reported
Common stock		14
Additional paid-in capital		267,444
Accumulated other comprehensive income		-18,730
Retained earnings		190,160
Treasury stock, at cost		-81,355
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity		357,533
Non-controlling interest		-15
Total stockholders' equity		357,518
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets | Adjustments
Common stock		0
Additional paid-in capital		0
Accumulated other comprehensive income		3,524
Retained earnings		-3,524
Treasury stock, at cost		0
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity		0
Non-controlling interest		0
Total stockholders' equity		$0

Revised_Financials_Statement_o

Revised Financials - Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Income before income taxes and equity method loss	($5,875)	$3,595
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	372	-195
Loss from equity method investees, net of taxes	-2,110	-1,433
Net income (loss)	-7,613	1,967
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	363	326
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	-7,250	2,293
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets
Income before income taxes and equity method loss		3,595
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		-195
Loss from equity method investees, net of taxes		-1,433
Net income (loss)		1,967	-33,462	75	7,657	4,087	1,495	538	1,207
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities		326
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.		2,293	-33,605	-163	7,668	6,599	1,806	723	1,543
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)		$0.19
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets | Previously Reported
Income before income taxes and equity method loss		3,595
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		1,903
Loss from equity method investees, net of taxes		-1,433
Net income (loss)		4,065
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities		326
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.		4,391
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)		$0.37
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets | Adjustments
Income before income taxes and equity method loss		0
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		-2,098	2,200	1,000	-1,100	-700	-700	-300	-1,800
Loss from equity method investees, net of taxes		0
Net income (loss)		-2,098
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities		0
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.		($2,098)
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)		($0.18)

Revised_Financials_Revised_Fin

Revised Financials Revised Financials - Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Net income (loss)	($7,613)		$1,967
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2		0
Reclassification to realized gains	0		0
Net foreign currency translation adjustment	2	[1]	0	[1]
Gross unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of tax	1,114	[2]	8,023	[2]
Reclassification to realized gains, net of tax	-185	[3]	-1,934	[3]
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes	929		6,089
Comprehensive income (loss)	-6,682		8,056
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	363		326
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	-6,319		8,382
Tax provision on gross unrealized gains	-548		0
Tax benefit on reclassifications to realized gains (losses)	91		0
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets
Net income (loss)			1,967		-33,462	75	7,657	4,087	1,495	538	1,207
Foreign currency translation adjustment			0
Reclassification to realized gains			0
Net foreign currency translation adjustment			0
Gross unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of tax			8,023
Reclassification to realized gains, net of tax			-1,934
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes			6,089
Comprehensive income (loss)			8,056
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest			326
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.			8,382
Tax provision on gross unrealized gains			0
Tax benefit on reclassifications to realized gains (losses)			0
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets | Previously Reported
Net income (loss)			4,065
Foreign currency translation adjustment			0
Reclassification to realized gains			0
Net foreign currency translation adjustment			0
Gross unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of tax			5,259
Reclassification to realized gains, net of tax			-1,268
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes			3,991
Comprehensive income (loss)			8,056
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest			326
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.			8,382
Tax provision on gross unrealized gains			-2,764
Tax benefit on reclassifications to realized gains (losses)			666
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets | Adjustments
Net income (loss)			-2,098
Foreign currency translation adjustment			0
Reclassification to realized gains			0
Net foreign currency translation adjustment			0
Gross unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of tax			2,764
Reclassification to realized gains, net of tax			-666
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of taxes			2,098
Comprehensive income (loss)			0
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest			0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.			0
Tax provision on gross unrealized gains			2,764
Tax benefit on reclassifications to realized gains (losses)			($666)
[1]	No tax effect on cumulative translation adjustments
[2]	Tax provision on gross unrealized gains: $(548) $0
[3]	Tax benefit on reclassifications to realized gains: $91 $0

Revised_Financials_Statement_o1

Revised Financials - Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Net income	($7,613,000)	$1,967,000
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	-598,000	78,000
Cash provided by operating activities	15,322,000	9,858,000
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets
Net income		1,967,000	-33,462,000	75,000	7,657,000	4,087,000	1,495,000	538,000	1,207,000
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		78,000
Cash provided by operating activities		9,858
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets | Previously Reported
Net income		4,065,000
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		-2,020,000
Cash provided by operating activities		9,858
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets | Adjustments
Net income		-2,098,000
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		2,098,000
Cash provided by operating activities		$0

Revised_Financials_Quarterly_F

Revised Financials - Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Net revenues	$38,885	$45,159
Gross profits	6,697	10,058
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	-7,613	1,967
Net income (loss)	-7,613	1,967
Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	-7,250	2,293
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	$0.19
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	$0.19
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets
Net revenues		45,159	54,482	58,583	51,924	33,496	31,420	28,761	26,351
Gross profits		10,058	13,799	17,183	15,003	9,120	8,010	8,041	6,983
Net income (loss) from continuing operations		1,967	-33,968	75	7,657	8,150	2,383	732	1,602
Net income (loss)		1,967	-33,462	75	7,657	4,087	1,495	538	1,207
Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.		2,293	-33,605	-163	7,668	6,599	1,806	723	1,543
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Steel Excel Inc.		$2,293	($33,832)	($163)	$7,668	$8,428	$2,205	$768	$1,622
Basic (in dollars per share)		$0.19	($2.97)	($0.01)	$0.64	$0.69	$0.18	$0.06	$0.13
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$0.19	($2.97)	($0.01)	$0.64	$0.69	$0.18	$0.06	$0.13

Revised_Financials_Narrative_D

Revised Financials - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Goodwill impairments	$0	$36,666,000
Provision for income taxes	-372,000	195,000
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets
Goodwill impairments			36,700,000
Foreign tax benefit			1,700,000
Provision for income taxes		195,000
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets | Adjustments
Provision for income taxes		$2,098,000	($2,200,000)	($1,000,000)	$1,100,000	$700,000	$700,000	$300,000	$1,800,000

Acquisitions_Detail

Acquisitions (Detail) (UK Elite Soccer, Inc., Provider of Soccer Clinics, USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014
Consideration transferred, net	$0.50
Customer relationships
Intangible assets	$0.50

Investments_Detail

Investments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	31-May-14	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015
							director
Sales of marketable securities	$6,773,000	$40,579,000
Derivative liability	166,089,000			181,138,000
Realized loss on financial instrument obligation	-200,000
Loss on change to equity method at fair value	2,807,000	0
Value of investment	33,240,000			26,871,000
Cost-method investments	28,483,000			28,525,000
Venture Capital Funds
Other investments	500,000
Promissory Note
Other investments	3,000,000
Again Faster
Membership interest (as a percent)					44.70%	40.00%
Ownership (as a percent)	40.00%			40.00%
iGo
Ownership (as a percent)	46.90%			46.90%
Value of investment	3,300,000
API
Ownership (as a percent)	20.60%		20.60%	20.60%
Number of shares held			11,377,192
Number of shares purchased			1,666,666
Loss on change to equity method at fair value	600,000
Aviat Networks, Inc.
Ownership (as a percent)	12.90%						12.90%
Number of shares held							8,041,892
Number of directors							2
Number of directors on board							8
Partnership
Cost-method investments	25,000,000
Fair value of cost method investments	$26,700,000

Investments_Portfolio_of_marke

Investments - Portfolio of marketable securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale securities:
Cost	$179,522	$195,958
Gross Unrealized Gains	14,157	12,675
Gross Unrealized Losses	-27,590	-27,495
Estimated Fair Value	166,089	181,138
Amounts classified as cash equivalents	-41,704	-42,681
Marketable securities cost	137,818	153,277
Marketable securities estimated fair value	124,385	138,457
Short-term deposits
Available-for-sale securities:
Cost	41,704	42,681
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	41,704	42,681
Mutual funds
Available-for-sale securities:
Cost	17,030	17,030
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,713	4,262
Gross Unrealized Losses	-272	-322
Estimated Fair Value	21,471	20,970
Corporate securities
Available-for-sale securities:
Cost	88,392	103,761
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,963	7,821
Gross Unrealized Losses	-25,277	-23,732
Estimated Fair Value	72,078	87,850
Corporate obligations
Available-for-sale securities:
Cost	32,396	32,486
Gross Unrealized Gains	481	592
Gross Unrealized Losses	-2,041	-3,441
Estimated Fair Value	$30,836	$29,637

Investments_Fair_value_and_gro

Investments - Fair value and gross unrealized losses of the available for sale securities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Gross realized gains	$510	$3,200
Gross realized losses	-375	-209
Realized gains (losses), net	135	2,991
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	59,989		58,272
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	-27,590		-27,495
Corporate securities
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	40,326		39,869
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	-25,277		-23,732
Corporate obligations
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	14,741		13,530
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	-2,041		-3,441
Mutual funds
Unrealized loss position, total, fair value	4,922		4,873
Unrealized loss position, total, gross unrealized losses	($272)		($322)

Investments_Amortized_cost_and

Investments - Amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in available-for-sale securities, by contractual maturity (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cost
Mature in one year or less	$202
Mature in more than three years	32,194
Total debt securities	32,396
Securities with no contractual maturities	147,126
Total	179,522
Estimated Fair Value
Mature in one year or less	207
Mature in more than three years	30,629
Total debt securities	30,836
Securities with no contractual maturities	135,253
Total	$166,089

Investments_Financial_Instrume

Investments - Financial Instrument Obligations (Details) (Financial instrument liabilities, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Initial Obligation	$19,415	$19,467
Estimated Fair Value	21,308	21,311
Corporate securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Initial Obligation	675	666
Estimated Fair Value	744	621
Market indices
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Initial Obligation	18,685	18,685
Estimated Fair Value	20,540	20,451
Covered call options
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Initial Obligation	55	7
Estimated Fair Value	24	4
Naked put options
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Initial Obligation	0	109
Estimated Fair Value	$0	$235

Investments_Summarized_Income_

Investments - Summarized Income Statement Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Revenues	$143,350
Gross profit	38,149
Loss from continuing operations	-5,379
Net loss	-5,479
Net loss attributable to investees	($5,479)

Investments_Equity_Method_Inve

Investments - Equity Method Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	31-May-14	Jan. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$38,808		$30,060
Income (Loss) Recognized	-2,110	-1,433
Again Faster
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership (as a percent)	40.00%		40.00%
Carrying Value	2,683		3,105
Income (Loss) Recognized	-422	-129
iGo
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership (as a percent)	46.90%		46.90%
Carrying Value	2,885		2,600
Income (Loss) Recognized	285	-1,304
API
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership (as a percent)	20.60%		20.60%	20.60%
Carrying Value	23,669		24,355
Income (Loss) Recognized	-686	0
Aviat
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership (as a percent)	12.90%				12.90%
Carrying Value	9,571
Income (Loss) Recognized	($1,287)	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements - Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial instrument obligations
Liabilities	($21,308)	($21,311)
Cash, including short-term deposits
Assets	64,076	51,910
Restricted cash
Assets	21,308
Mutual funds
Assets	21,471	20,970
Corporate securities
Assets	72,078	87,850
Corporate obligations
Assets	30,836	29,637
Investments in equity-method investees
Assets	33,240
Investments in certain funds
Assets	483	525
Financial Assets
Assets	243,492	190,892
Level 1 | Financial instrument obligations
Liabilities	-21,308	-21,311
Level 1 | Cash, including short-term deposits
Assets	64,076	51,910
Level 1 | Restricted cash
Assets	21,308
Level 1 | Mutual funds
Assets	21,471	20,970
Level 1 | Corporate securities
Assets	59,890	72,798
Level 1 | Corporate obligations
Assets	0	0
Level 1 | Investments in equity-method investees
Assets	33,240
Level 1 | Investments in certain funds
Assets	0	0
Level 1 | Financial Assets
Assets	199,985	145,678
Level 2 | Financial instrument obligations
Liabilities	0	0
Level 2 | Cash, including short-term deposits
Assets	0	0
Level 2 | Restricted cash
Assets	0
Level 2 | Mutual funds
Assets	0	0
Level 2 | Corporate securities
Assets	0	0
Level 2 | Corporate obligations
Assets	12,134	10,793
Level 2 | Investments in equity-method investees
Assets	0
Level 2 | Investments in certain funds
Assets	0	0
Level 2 | Financial Assets
Assets	12,134	10,793
Level 3 | Financial instrument obligations
Liabilities	0	0
Level 3 | Cash, including short-term deposits
Assets	0	0
Level 3 | Restricted cash
Assets	0
Level 3 | Mutual funds
Assets	0	0
Level 3 | Corporate securities
Assets	12,188	15,052
Level 3 | Corporate obligations
Assets	18,702	18,844
Level 3 | Investments in equity-method investees
Assets	0
Level 3 | Investments in certain funds
Assets	483	525
Level 3 | Financial Assets
Assets	$31,373	$34,421

Fair_Value_Measurements_Reconc

Fair Value Measurements - Reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Level 3 assets and liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance, Beginning	$34,421	$24,209
Purchases	0	5,299
Sales	-163	-1,974
Unrealized gains (losses)	-2,885	2,857
Balance, End	$31,373	$30,391

Property_and_Equipment_Detail

Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation	$3.80	$3.50

Property_and_Equipment_Schedul

Property and Equipment - Schedule (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property and equipment, gross	$140,712	$139,775
Accumulated depreciation	-36,407	-32,588
Property and equipment, net	104,305	107,187
Rigs and other equipment
Property and equipment, gross	116,235	115,391
Buildings and improvements
Property and equipment, gross	19,206	18,977
Land
Property and equipment, gross	1,893	1,893
Vehicles
Property and equipment, gross	2,304	2,197
Furniture and fixtures
Property and equipment, gross	776	673
Assets in progress
Property and equipment, gross	$298	$644

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization of intangibles	$2,162	$2,641

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets, net (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$61,621	$61,621
Accumulated Amortization	-28,001	-25,839
Net	33,620	35,782
Energy segment:
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	59,410	59,410
Accumulated Amortization	-27,153	-25,124
Net	32,257	34,286
Sports segment:
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	2,211	2,211
Accumulated Amortization	-848	-715
Net	1,363	1,496
Customer relationships | Energy segment:
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	54,430	54,430
Accumulated Amortization	-23,805	-21,938
Net	30,625	32,492
Customer relationships | Sports segment:
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	2,089	2,089
Accumulated Amortization	-805	-678
Net	1,284	1,411
Trade names | Energy segment:
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	4,860	4,860
Accumulated Amortization	-3,317	-3,161
Net	1,543	1,699
Trade names | Sports segment:
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	122	122
Accumulated Amortization	-43	-37
Net	79	85
Non-compete agreement | Energy segment:
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	120	120
Accumulated Amortization	-31	-25
Net	$89	$95

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Aggregate Future Amortization Expense: (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2015	$6,049
2016	7,202
2017	5,972
2018	5,229
2019	2,814
Thereafter	6,354
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$33,620

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$30,864	$67,530
Impairments	0	-36,666
Balance, end of period	30,864	30,864
Energy segment:
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	28,693	65,359
Impairments	0	-36,666
Balance, end of period	28,693	28,693
Sports segment:
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	2,171	2,171
Impairments	0	0
Balance, end of period	$2,171	$2,171

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Components of Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$73,095	$73,095
Accumulated impairment	-42,231	-42,231
Goodwill	$30,864	$30,864	$30,864	$67,530

Longterm_Debt_Details

Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$75,982,000
Interest expense	642,000	868,000
Steel Energy Ltd
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	76,000,000
Energy Credit Agreement | Long-term Debt | Steel Energy Ltd
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	105,000,000
Energy Credit Agreement | Term Loan | Steel Energy Ltd
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	95,000,000
Energy Credit Agreement | Line of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility | Steel Energy Ltd
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	10,000,000
Borrowing base of eligible accounts receivable (as a percent)	85.00%
Amended Credit Agreement | Steel Energy Ltd
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.80%
Interest expense	600,000	800,000
Amended Credit Agreement | Long-term Debt | Steel Energy Ltd
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly installments	$3,300,000

Longterm_Debt_Assets_Pledged_a

Long-term Debt - Assets Pledged as Collateral (Details) (Steel Energy Ltd and Subsidiaries, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Steel Energy Ltd and Subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$41,734
Accounts receivable	16,710
Property and equipment, net	96,210
Intangible assets, net	32,257
Total	$186,911

Longterm_Debt_Principal_paymen

Long-term Debt - Principal payments under the Energy Credit Agreement (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2015	$9,911
2016	13,214
2017	13,214
2018	39,643
Total	75,982
Less current portion	13,214	13,214
Total long-term debt	$62,768	$66,071

Other_Liabilities_Accrued_and_

Other Liabilities - Accrued and other liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued and other liabilities	$17,719	$8,916
Accrued compensation and related taxes
Accrued and other liabilities	5,285	5,471
Deferred compensation
Accrued and other liabilities	3,515	0
Deferred revenue
Accrued and other liabilities	3,494	1,308
Insurance
Accrued and other liabilities	2,535	0
Professional services
Accrued and other liabilities	264	763
Accrued fuel and rig-related charges
Accrued and other liabilities	2,076	601
Tax-related
Accrued and other liabilities	120	238
Other
Accrued and other liabilities	$430	$535

Other_Income_Expense_net_Detai

Other Income (Expense), net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Investment income	$1,564	$1,589
Realized gain on sales of marketable securities, net	135	2,991
Realized loss on financial instrument obligations	-186	0
Realized loss upon change to equity method at fair value	-2,807	0
Foreign exchange loss	-288	0
Other	-147	-63
Other income (expense), net	($1,729)	$4,517

Income_Taxes_Detail

Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$372	($195)

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Stockbased

Stock Benefit Plans - Stock-based compensation expenses (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Total stock-based compensation	$539	$617
Stock options
Total stock-based compensation	0	22
Restricted stock
Total stock-based compensation	$539	$595

Stock_Benefit_Plans_Restricted

Stock Benefit Plans Restricted Stock Activity (Details) (Restricted stock)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted stock
Restricted Stock Activity (in shares)
Balance, beginning of period	57
Awarded	161
Vested	-3
Balance, end of period	215

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Share_Reco

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted net (loss) income per share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerators:
Net income (loss)	($7,613)	$1,967
Non-controlling interest	363	326
Net income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	($7,250)	$2,293
Denominators:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	11,475	11,981
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock-based awards (in Shares)	0	18
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in Shares)	11,475	11,999
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	$0.19
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Steel Excel Inc.:
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	$0.19
Antidilutive securities excluded (in shares)	-15

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Changes, net of tax, in Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$357,518
Current period other comprehensive income	931
Balance at end of period	351,357
Unrealized Gains on Securities
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	-14,821
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,114
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income	-185
Current period other comprehensive income	929
Balance at end of period	-13,892
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	-385
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income	0
Current period other comprehensive income	2
Balance at end of period	-383
Total
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	-15,206
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,116
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income	-185
Current period other comprehensive income	931
Balance at end of period	($14,275)

Segment_Information_Detail

Segment Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments (in segments)	2

Segment_Information_Operating_

Segment Information - Operating results (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues
Revenues	$38,885	$45,159
Operating income (loss) before goodwill impairments
Operating income (loss) before goodwill impairments	-3,504	-54
Corporate and other business activities	-10,201	-10,112
Interest expense	-642	-868
Other income (expense), net	-1,729	4,517
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity method loss	-5,875	3,595
Depreciation and amortization	5,994	6,163
Energy segment:
Revenues
Revenues	37,132	43,913
Operating income (loss) before goodwill impairments
Operating income (loss) before goodwill impairments	2,359	5,467
Depreciation and amortization	5,565	5,793
Sports segment:
Revenues
Revenues	1,753	1,246
Operating income (loss) before goodwill impairments
Operating income (loss) before goodwill impairments	-2,539	-2,032
Depreciation and amortization	429	370
Total segment operating income (loss)
Operating income (loss) before goodwill impairments
Operating income (loss) before goodwill impairments	-180	3,435
Corporate and other business activities
Operating income (loss) before goodwill impairments
Corporate and other business activities	($3,324)	($3,489)

Segment_Information_Assets_Det

Segment Information - Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total assets:
Total assets	$474,098	$479,354
Sports segment:
Total assets:
Total assets	18,559	18,625
Energy segment:
Total assets:
Total assets	220,068	220,262
Corporate and other business activities
Total assets:
Total assets	$235,471	$240,467

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
SP Corporate Services LLC
Provision of services	$2,200,000	$2,200,000
Accounts payable	100,000
Mutual Securities, Inc.
Paid commissions	11,000	123,000
iGo
Fixed annual fee			400,000
WebBank | Interest Income
Interest income	16,000	7,000
WebBank | Short-term deposits
Short-term deposits	$9,300,000
Steel Excel | Percentage Owned By Steel Partners
Ownership (as a percent)	57.20%

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest paid	$556	$735
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	61	44
Reclassification of available-for-sale securities to equity method investment	10,858	0
Securities received in exchange for financial instrument obligations	76	0
Securities delivered in exchange for settlement of financial instrument obligations	76	0
Restricted stock awards surrendered to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon vesting	$18	$0