“Participants must submit photos of their pets posing with a basketball, or doing something cute and ball-related,” read the terms.

The program is coordinated by Action Network, an online source for sports betting news, information, and analysis launched in 2018.

The contest was initially scheduled to close mid-January but has recently been extended until Feb 1. It began Dec. 15.

“We began seeing submissions come in more gradually over the holiday and New Year period, and with many people offline during that stretch, we wanted to make sure audiences still had a fair window to participate,” wrote Gautham Marthandan, PR specialist for the Action Network.

A housecat rests a paw on a tiny basketball in this entry to a photo contest on now. (Courtesy of the Action Network)

The challenge asks U.S. residents over the age of 18 to “submit one photo featuring a pet and a basketball or basketball-like ball — mini, foam, toy, etc.,” Marthandan explained.

People may appear in the shot, but the pet and ball should be the focus. Entries containing copyrighted material, logos, or branding from the NBA or other third parties may be disqualified; attempting to submit multiple entries for the same pet may also result in elimination.

Submissions of furry critters with a variety of balls have been accepted.

“The judging panel will select the Grand Prize winner based on criteria such as creativity, originality, overall appeal, and how well the submission aligns with the contest theme,” Action Network states.

The grand prize is the title of “America’s Cutest Pet Baller” and $3,000 USD, which will be delivered via PayPal or another payment method selected by the Action Network.

Full rules, entry details, and terms are available at https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/mini-hoopers-contest-americas-cutest-pet-ballers.