Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues:
Site leasing	$ 1,954,472	$ 1,860,858	$ 1,740,434
Site development	128,666	153,787	125,261
Total revenues	2,083,138	2,014,645	1,865,695
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion, and amortization shown below):
Cost of site leasing	373,778	373,951	372,296
Cost of site development	102,750	119,080	96,499
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	194,267	192,717	142,526
Acquisition and new business initiatives related adjustments and expenses	16,582	15,228	10,961
Asset impairment and decommission costs	40,097	33,103	27,134
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization	721,970	697,078	672,113
Total operating expenses	1,449,444	1,431,157	1,321,529
Operating income	633,694	583,488	544,166
Other income (expense):
Interest income	2,981	5,500	6,731
Interest expense	(367,874)	(390,036)	(376,217)
Non-cash interest expense	(24,870)	(3,193)	(2,640)
Amortization of deferred financing fees	(20,058)	(22,466)	(20,289)
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net	(19,463)	(457)	(14,443)
Other (expense) income, net	(222,159)	14,053	(85,624)
Total other expense, net	(651,443)	(396,599)	(492,482)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(17,749)	186,889	51,684
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	41,796	(39,605)	(4,233)
Net income	24,047	147,284	47,451
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	57	(293)
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation	$ 24,104	$ 146,991	$ 47,451
Net income per common share attributable to SBA Communications Corporation:
Basic	$ 0.22	$ 1.30	$ 0.41
Diluted	$ 0.21	$ 1.28	$ 0.41
Weighted average number of common shares
Basic	111,532	112,809	114,909
Diluted	113,465	114,693	116,515