CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net [Member]
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	$ (11,313)	$ 1,097	$ 2,268,244	$ (2,281,139)	$ 485
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		109,675,000
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation	(76,103)			(76,103)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(237)				(237)
Common stock issued in connection with acquisition	263,340	53	263,287
Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions, shares		5,250,000
Non-cash compensation	7,025		7,025
Common stock issued in connection with option plans/restriction lapse	13,604	5	13,599
Common stock issued in connection with option plans/restriction lapse, shares		565,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock	283,879	60	283,819
Proceeds from sale of common stock, shares		6,005,000
BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 480,195	$ 1,215	$ 2,835,974	$ (2,357,242)	$ 248
BALANCE, shares at Jun. 30, 2012		121,495,000