Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Class A Common Stock [Member] Shares - Hedge [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member] Shares - Warrant [Member] USD ($)	Class A Common Stock [Member] USD ($)	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Shares - Hedge [Member] USD ($)	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Shares - Warrant [Member] USD ($)	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] USD ($)	Accumulated Deficit [Member] USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member] USD ($)	Shares - Hedge [Member] USD ($)	Shares - Warrant [Member] USD ($)	Total USD ($)
BALANCE, Amount at Dec. 31, 2010			$ 1,148			$ 2,243,457	$ (1,929,670)	$ 2,175			$ 317,110
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2010			114,832,000
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications							(126,456)				(126,456)
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Amount			8			15,793					15,801
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Shares			761,000
Non-cash compensation						11,639					11,639
Equity component related to repurchase of convertible debt						(2,607)					(2,607)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Amount			(59)				(225,013)				(225,072)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares			(5,918,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustments						(38)		(1,690)			(1,728)
BALANCE, Amount at Dec. 31, 2011			1,097			2,268,244	(2,281,139)	485			(11,313)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011			109,675,000
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications							(181,037)				(181,037)
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Amount			14			31,138					31,152
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Shares			1,414,000
Non-cash compensation						14,202					14,202
Equity component related to repurchase of convertible debt						(41,569)					(41,569)
Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions, Amount			98			555,280					555,378
Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions, Shares			9,839,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock, Amount			60			283,812					283,872
Proceeds from sale of common stock, Shares			6,005,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments								2,306			2,306
BALANCE, Amount at Dec. 31, 2012			1,269			3,111,107	(2,462,176)	2,791			652,991
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012			126,933,000
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications							(55,909)				(55,909)
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Amount			7			10,198					10,205
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Shares			740,000
Non-cash compensation						17,422					17,422
Adjustment associated with the acquisition of noncontrolling interest						5,703					5,703
Settlement of convertible notes, Amount			4			(321,925)					(321,921)
Settlement of convertible notes, Shares	(82,000)		439,000
Settlement of convertible note hedges and common stock warrants, Amount		4		182,856	(97,915)				182,856	(97,911)
Settlement of convertible note hedges and common stock warrants, Shares		402,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments								(36,470)			(36,470)
BALANCE, Amount at Dec. 31, 2013			$ 1,284			$ 2,907,446	$ (2,518,085)	$ (33,679)			$ 356,966
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013			128,432,000