Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Site leasing	$ 1,133,013	$ 846,094	$ 616,294
Site development	171,853	107,990	81,876
Total revenues	1,304,866	954,084	698,170
Operating expenses:
Cost of site leasing	270,772	188,951	131,916
Cost of site development	137,481	90,556	71,005
Selling, general, and administrative	85,476	72,148	62,828
Acquisition related expenses	19,198	40,433	7,144
Asset impairment and decommission costs	28,960	6,383	5,472
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization	533,334	408,467	309,146
Total operating expenses	1,075,221	806,938	587,511
Operating income	229,645	147,146	110,659
Other income (expense):
Interest income	1,794	1,128	136
Interest expense	(249,051)	(196,241)	(160,896)
Non-cash interest expense	(49,085)	(70,110)	(63,629)
Amortization of deferred financing fees	(15,560)	(12,870)	(9,188)
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net	(6,099)	(51,799)	(1,696)
Other income (expense)	31,138	5,654	(165)
Total other expense	(286,863)	(324,238)	(235,438)
Loss before provision for income taxes	(57,218)	(177,092)	(124,779)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	1,309	(6,594)	(2,113)
Net loss from continuing operations	(55,909)	(183,686)	(126,892)
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		2,296
Net loss	(55,909)	(181,390)	(126,892)
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest		353	436
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation	$ (55,909)	$ (181,037)	$ (126,456)
Basic and diluted per common share amounts:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.44)	$ (1.53)	$ (1.14)
Income from discontinued operations		$ 0.02
Net loss per common share	$ (0.44)	$ (1.51)	$ (1.14)
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares	127,769	120,280	111,595