CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS (DEFICIT) EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands	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
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation	(128,548)			(128,548)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,449				1,449
Common stock issued in connection with acquisition	263,341	53	263,288
Common stock issued in connection with acquisition, shares		5,250
Non-cash compensation	10,770		10,770
Conversion of 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes	10		10
Common stock issued in connection with option plans/restriction lapse	20,946	8	20,938
Common stock issued in connection with option plans/restriction lapse, shares		879
Proceeds from sale of common stock	283,879	60	283,819
Proceeds from sale of common stock, shares		6,005
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 440,534	$ 1,218	$ 2,847,069	$ (2,409,687)	$ 1,934
BALANCE, shares at Sep. 30, 2012		121,809