Consolidated Statement 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]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Shares - Hedge [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Shares - Warrant [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Shares - Hedge [Member]	Shares - Warrant [Member]	Total
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 income (loss) attributable to SBA Communications Corporation							(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 stock 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 income (loss) attributable to SBA Communications Corporation							(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 stock 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			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	(82,000)	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
Net income (loss) attributable to SBA Communications Corporation							(24,295)				(24,295)
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Amount			7			7,741					7,748
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Shares			696,000
Non-cash stock compensation						22,999					22,999
Settlement of convertible notes, Amount			117			9,450					9,567
Settlement of convertible notes, Shares			11,742,000
Settlement of convertible note hedges and common stock warrants, Amount	(117)			124	(884,985)				7	(884,985)
Settlement of convertible note hedges and common stock warrants, Shares	(11,737,000)	1,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments								(148,807)			(148,807)
BALANCE, Amount at Dec. 31, 2014			$ 1,291			$ 2,062,775	$ (2,542,380)	$ (182,486)			$ (660,800)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014			129,134,000