It was the total purse for a special 16 - contestant tournament of champions .
In 1980 , The Joker 's Wild became the first television program to advertise that it was giving away a $1,000,000 prize .
The Joker 's Wild was the total The Joker 's Wild for a special 16 - contestant tournament of champions .
In 1980 , The Joker 's Wild became the first television program to advertise that it was giving away a $1,000,000 prize .